3 Free Agents the Atlanta Braves Should Sign, 2 to Avoid
After a historic 2023 season, the Atlanta Braves entered 2024 with high expectations but struggled to live up to them. They barely made it into the Wild Card round, finishing in a three-way tie with the Mets and the Diamondbacks, only to be eliminated by the Padres in the National League Wild Card. Injuries to key players like Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, and Michael Harris II impacted the Braves throughout the year, and while some of them returned for the postseason, the team also faced setbacks with pitchers like Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez.
This offseason, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is taking a more cautious approach, focusing on trimming the payroll and avoiding high-priced free agents. Instead, he is seeking bargains and potential breakout players, much like he did in the past with acquisitions like Chris Sale and Joc Pederson. Here are a few free-agent targets the Braves might consider:
1. Walker Buehler
Buehler is a top-tier pitcher who has struggled with injuries, but when healthy, he has the potential to return to elite form. Though he posted a rough 4.75 ERA in 2023, his career ERA of 2.47 in 2021 shows his past brilliance. With his postseason success and strong 2024 postseason performance, Buehler could be a great low-cost option for the Braves, especially if they aim to replicate their success with Chris Sale.
2. Michael Soroka
Soroka was once viewed as a future ace but has been plagued by injuries since 2020. In 2024, he posted a 4.74 ERA, but there’s potential for him to thrive in a relief role. As a reliever, Soroka showed promise with a 2.75 ERA and a significant increase in strikeouts. With several bullpen arms becoming free agents, Soroka could provide valuable depth at a low cost, and the Braves could even convert him back into a starter if he proves successful.
3. Jurickson Profar
Profar is coming off a career-best season, posting solid offensive numbers with 24 home runs and a Silver Slugger award. While he may be more expensive than the Braves would like, he could be a valuable addition to their lineup, which has struggled to score runs in recent postseasons. If he continues his success, Profar would be a reliable option for the Braves, especially in the left field position.
Players the Braves Should Avoid:
1. Willy Adames
Adames is an intriguing option due to his power bat, having hit 32 home runs in 2024. However, with the Braves focusing on developing their young prospects like Nacho Alvarez, adding Adames would block his potential rise to the major leagues. Additionally, Adames’ defense has been declining, and the Braves may not want to commit to him given the high cost of acquiring him and his questionable long-term fit.
2. Max Fried
Fried is a fan favorite and a talented pitcher, but his postseason struggles (5.10 ERA over 67 innings) raise concerns. While he has been a solid performer in the regular season, his postseason numbers don’t inspire confidence. The Braves also have a star-studded pitching rotation already in place and could prioritize adding a more affordable insurance arm with potential, like Walker Buehler, instead of re-signing Fried to a lucrative deal.
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