The 5 Biggest Decisions the Atlanta Braves Have to Make This Offseason

The Atlanta Braves have yet to fill the vacant general manager position, so it's still unclear exactly how this offseason will unfold.

However, there are looming decisions that will need to be made by whoever fills in as GM. In looking at the roster, there is potential for many changes to help bring the Braves back to the postseason.

Change should also be expected after an embarrassing last month of the season and an overall underwhelming 2014 season.

Here's a look at five of the toughest decisions the Braves will have to make this offseason.

5. The Return of Ervin Santana?

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Ervin Santana became the Braves' biggest move in free agency when he signed a one-year deal last offseason.

Santana did not disappoint for the Braves as he posted 14 wins and a 3.95 ERA in 196 innings.

Now the Braves must decide whether or not to bring him back and just how hard they want to pursue Santana.

Santana ate innings and posted the second-best strikeout ratio (8.2 K/9) among the Braves' starters. This could make Santana an effective postseason starter, which is something the Braves have lacked in previous seasons. However, Santana may command a multi-year deal that the Braves do not feel comfortable giving to a soon-to-be 32-year-old starter.

My best guess is the Braves stick the qualifying offer on Santana, watch him sign elsewhere and receive a first-round pick.

4. Where Do Injured Pitchers Fit In?

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Ervin Santana's future will likely depend on how the Braves feel about their returning injured starting pitchers.

Both Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy missed the entire 2014 season as they underwent Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, Gavin Floyd missed the majority of the season after he went down with a fractured elbow after a strong start to the season.

All three will have a difficult road ahead to get into the picture in the rotation. 

Beachy and Medlen may be more of a longshot to help, as they will attempt the difficult task of returning from a second Tommy John surgery. (We saw how it worked out for Jonny Venters this year.)

If the Braves want Floyd back, they should be able to re-sign him for an affordable price after the injury. At this point, I'd be surprised if Beachy pitches with the Braves again, but I'd look for Medlen and Floyd to be back in some capacity.

3. How Does Second Base Position Fill Out?

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The Braves officially ended the Dan Uggla era at second base by cutting him this past season. While it was a necessary move, there is still uncertainty at the immediate future of the position.

One of the organization's top prospects, Jose Peraza, looks to be the future of the position. But is he ready?

He will be just 20 years old when the season starts and has just 195 plate appearances at the Double-A level (zero at Triple-A).

The more likely scenario is that the position will be manned by Tommy La Stella or Phil Gosselin to begin the season. While La Stella features a great approach at the plate, it was Gosselin who was the hottest hitter as the season concluded.

I'd expect those two players to begin the season in a platoon with Peraza making a push toward Atlanta in the middle of the 2015 season.

2. How to Ditch B.J. Upton?

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The fate of Frank Wren was sealed by the abysmal play of B.J. Upton.

Wren rewarded Upton with the largest contract in franchise history, and Upton repaid him by hitting .198 with 324 strikeouts in two seasons with the Braves.

It's nearly impossible to see Upton turning his career around in a Braves uniform. It would be in the best interest for both to part ways.

This will be easier said than done, however.

For this to happen, the Braves will likely have to package Upton with another player or prospect, eat most of his salary in a trade, or take on an equally "bad" contract in a trade.

In all cases, the Braves will be making a move that they will not necessarily like.

1. To Trade or Not to Trade Evan Gattis?

Al Behrman/Associated Press

If treated correctly, this should be a win-win scenario for the Braves.

If you keep Gattis, you return one of the top power-hitting catchers in baseball to a lineup that sorely lacked offense. 

If you trade Gattis, you bring back quality prospects or players in return and plug in one of your top prospects (Christian Bethancourt) into the starting lineup. While trading a fan favorite would be a tough pill to swallow, the return in a deal for Gattis could reshape the roster and ensure future success.

Gattis looks destined for an American League team as he could serve as both a catcher and designated hitter. Any team would love to have his pop in the lineup.

This will be the most interesting situation to monitor over the offseason.

With a new general manager taking over, I'm predicting they will make an effort to trade Gattis and turn catching duties over to Bethancourt.