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On Sunday morning, as sunlight illuminated the ice-covered trees surrounding Truist Park, creating a scene reminiscent of a thousand crystal chandeliers, Robert Murray reported that the Atlanta Braves signed Garrett Cooper to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Cooper, a 34-year-old former All-Star with the Miami Marlins in 2022, has struggled over the past two seasons. He is likely destined for Gwinnett or a bench role in Atlanta, with the hope that his on-field contributions will be minimal during the 2025 season. Capable of playing first base and the outfield, Cooper is one of several players Atlanta has added this offseason.

The Braves have also signed outfielders Conner Capel, Bryan De La Cruz, and Carlos D. Rodriguez, along with infielders Eddy Alvarez, Jose Devers, Charles Leblanc, and several pitchers to minor league or non-guaranteed major league deals. They’ve acquired additional depth by selecting two players in the Rule 5 Draft and trading for infielder Nick Allen and starter Davis Daniel in December.

While none of these acquisitions are expected to replace key players like Travis d’Arnaud, Max Fried, Charlie Morton, Jorge Soler, Jesse Chavez, Gio Urshela, or Luke Jackson, some could end up playing meaningful roles during the season.

In 2024, the Braves used 55 players—28 pitchers and 27 position players—in major league games. Since 2021, the team has consistently utilized 50 or more players per season. Last year, Atlanta had 13 pitchers start games, with seven of them making seven or more starts. The outfield rotation included 12 players, seven of whom appeared in 30 or more games.

Injuries contributed to the high player usage in 2024, but this trend isn’t new. In 2023, the Braves used 16 different starting pitchers, and in 2022, they relied on 12.

Heading into 2025, the Braves face uncertainties in the outfield. Ronald Acuña Jr. is expected to miss time early in the season while recovering from knee surgery, and Jarred Kelenic’s role as a platoon option remains uncertain. The infield, plagued by injuries in 2024, has seen new depth added, with only Luke Williams and Nacho Alvarez Jr. returning as reserve options.

And, as always, the need for pitching depth is a constant.

It’s widely anticipated that Atlanta will pursue more significant roster additions before the season begins or possibly even before Spring Training starts in about a month.

While the recent signings may not be flashy, they highlight the importance of organizational depth as the Braves aim for their eighth consecutive postseason appearance.