In November, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said the player payroll to begin 2024 would be higher than it was to end 2023. His bosses are making good on that pledge so far. The Braves payroll was $206 million in 2023, according to Spotrac. The projection for 2024 is about $225 million.

The Braves had MLB’s 10th-highest payroll in 2023. They could move up the rankings in 2024. What’s not clear is if the spending has significantly improved the roster for 2024.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Braves won 104 games last season while finishing 14 games clear of the Phillies in the National League East. I value division titles because it’s much harder to win over the long haul than in a short October series. I understand why Braves supporters may feel differently considering the franchise’s history and how the past two seasons ended.

The Braves lost to the Phillies (again) in their 2023 Division Series. Anthopoulos said he wouldn’t base offseason decisions on the four-game sample, but he also wouldn’t ignore it. That series made it apparent that the Braves need more pitching. The season made it clear they needed an upgrade in left field.

The Braves signed free-agent pitcher Reynaldo Lopez, who may or may not fill their need for a quality starter. A dizzying series of trades and re-trades left the Braves with Jarred Kelenic, who may or may not be an upgrade over Eddie Rosario in left. New utility infielder David Fletcher is a similar player to old utility infielder Nicky Lopez, who was sent away as part of the deal to acquire lefty reliever Aaron Bummer.

The Braves are spending more on raises for their core players. Expenditures for outside help have been limited. A decent chunk of the 2024 payroll is for players that Anthopoulos paid other teams to take so that he could acquire Kelenic from the Mariners.

Opening day is more than three months away. Anthopoulos has been known to make an unexpected move or two. But history and circumstances both suggest the Braves won’t spend for one of the top free-agent pitchers still on the market. Anthopoulos said he’s unlikely to trade any of the many Braves players who signed long-term extensions, in which case he doesn’t have much to offer for a blockbuster deal.