The Atlanta Braves, after four games, lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. They have once again fallen short during the season. This time, the boo-birds were out for Ronald Acuna Jr., and there's some real concern about this team long-term.

Now, the Braves must look ahead to the offseason and figure out how best to move forward. Starting pitching, some bullpen help, and a shortstop top their list of needs this offseason.

However, ESPN's David Schoenfield is predicting that the Braves will have a lackluster offseason, thanks to problems with each of those top three needs.

Braves predicted to have lackluster offseason amid three problems

"The shortstop free agent class is weak," Schoenfield writes. "...There could be a trade for somebody like Milwaukee's Joey Ortiz... or taking on a potential salary dump like Boston's Trevor Story... So ... maybe bring back Dubon?"

Schoenfield doesn't have much belief that this shortstop situation will go well for the Braves this upcoming offseason.

Mauricio Dubon, who played well for the Braves in 2026, might have to be their shortstop solution without any good options elsewhere.

J.P. Crawford is the top free agent option, while the best trade targets, Ortiz and Story, are far from ideal. Being predicted to wind up going with Dubon as the full-time shortstop would be a lackluster outcome for their biggest need this offseason.

But it doesn't stop there. "Otherwise, the payroll situation dictates moving on from (Raisel) Iglesias," Schoenfield writes.

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For a bullpen that probably needs some help, being predicted to cut ties with Raisel Iglesias would be a tough outcome. He's a good closer, but with Robert Suarez and Didier Fuentes, maybe the Braves will be okay without him.

Last but certainly not least is the Braves' starting rotation need. Re-signing Tyler Mahle should be a priority.

However, "Mahle will be in demand," Schoenfield writes, "and maybe the likes of JR Ritchie and AJ Smith-Shawver, plus Strider and Schwellenbach, will have the Braves feeling good about their rotation options."

If Mahle being in high demand leads to the Braves letting him walk, and trying to make do with Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, and JR Ritchie behind Chris Sale, it would be an incredibly lackluster outcome.

All in all, Schoenfield is predicting the Braves might not find a good shortstop replacement, will cut ties with Iglesias, and might even lose Mahle, with the team trusting their current crop of starters. That would, simply put, be a disappointing offseason.

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