3 Players Who Definitely Won't Be on the Braves' Roster Next Year

The Atlanta Braves have a bright future with all the young talent already on the roster and in their farm system, but this offseason poses a ton of questions.

After a heartbreaking NLDS loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Braves have some major decisions to make in terms of payroll and creating room for some of their young stars.

Here are three players that won't be back with the team in 2020.

3. RHP Anthony Swarzak

Atlanta Braves v Miami Marlins / Mark Brown/Getty Images

When the Braves acquired Anthony Swarzak from the Seattle Mariners, he was actually pretty dominant, which included 12 scoreless appearances in the month of June. But his second half was terrible, with the right-hander posting a 7.25 ERA over 27 appearances, which kept him off the postseason roster. Atlanta could use some bullpen help, but they won't be looking Swarzak's way in free agency.

2. RHP Julio Teheran

Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves / Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Braves can certainly convince themselves to pick up Julio Teheran's $12 million team option ($1 million buyout). At the very least, Teheran takes the ball every fifth day and gives them innings. That matters and he did have a nice 2019 campaign, but he faded down the stretch (6.56 ERA in September) and the only reason he ended up on the postseason roster was due to Chris Martin's injury. With all the young pitching the Braves have, they can certainly replace him in the rotation. Maybe they want his veteran leadership, but that's why they should consider using this money to bring Dallas Keuchel back.

1. 3B Josh Donaldson

Divisional Series - St Louis Cardinals v Atlanta Braves - Game Five / Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Josh Donaldson was the perfect cleanup hitter behind Freddie Freeman, which is why it's not out of the realm possibility that GM Alex Anthopoulos brings him back. However, he received a one-year, $23 million deal. Now, after hitting 37 home runs to go along with 94 RBI and a .900 OPS, that price is going up and they already have their third baseman of the future in Austin Riley. Yes, Riley can play left field, but it's highly unlikely that Donaldson is going to sign a one-year deal, so how much longer do they want the young slugger patrolling the outfield? If the National League had the DH this would be a different story, so the Braves will likely prefer to spend that money elsewhere.