The Braves next move should be to subtract so they can add

After spending big to take care of the bullpen, the Atlanta Braves should turn their attention towards setting up for a big offseason.

The Atlanta Braves have already shown this offseason that they’re not afraid to go out and spend money on the right guys.

Bringing in bullpen arms like Will Smith and Chris Martin will make this team better in 2020 and going forward.

But let’s not fool ourselves into thinking the payroll is going to rival that of the Boston Red Sox, or even our inter-division rivals like the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Washington Nationals who all finished 2019 with a budget of $160 million or more.

As things stand now, the Braves have an approximate payroll of around $102 million for 2020.

Assuming the Opening Day payroll is at around $130 million, which would be a stretch considering the Braves’ highest Opening Day payroll ever is $122 million, then there is about $30 million left to spend this offseason.

That’s enough to make one big splash in free agency and another minor move or two to fill the other holes.

But is that enough to get this team where they need to be in 2020 — competing for a World Series?

If we’re being honest, for that to happen the Braves still need to find a third baseman to replace Josh Donaldson (if not Donaldson), a frontline starter to replace Dallas Keuchel (hopefully better than Dallas Keuchel), a starting catcher to make Tyler Flowers a back-up, and a corner outfielder.

That all seems a bit impossible with just $30 million to spend unless the Braves start trading away all of their top prospects.

But there is a way to free up an additional $18 million rather easily.