Last night was the deadline for arbitration-eligible player to be tendered a contract, and the Braves declined to do so for several notable players — Griffin Canning, Ray Kerr, Royber Salinas, Huascar Ynoa, and Ramon Laureano.
Canning and Laureano are candidates to return on cheaper deals, but there are also other non-tendered players around the league that could interest the Braves. Of the 62, here are a few:
Griffin Canning, SP, Braves
After being acquired in the Jorge Soler trade, the Braves were always likely to part ways with Canning in a money-saving move. After recording a 5.19 ERA with a 1.97 K/BB ratio over 171.2 innings in 2024, he’s an arm that Alex Anthopoulos could bring back at a cheaper rate in hopes that getting away from the Angels will benefit him. Unfortunately, without any options, he’d have to make the major league roster out of Spring Training if that’s the case.
Dylan Carlson, OF, Rays
Carlson finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting a few years ago and was a highly touted prospect before that with the Cardinals, but he hasn’t been able to replicate that production, slashing .225/.309/.341 (84 OPS+) over the past three years. His time in St. Louis came to an end in 2024 when he was traded to the Rays in July, posting a .563 OPS between both clubs. He could be worth taking a flier on, though.
Kyle Finnegan, RP, Nationals
The 33-year-old made the first All-Star game of his career last year, ranking third in all of baseball with 38 saves. In the last five seasons, he’s finished with a sub-4.00 ERA and owns a career 116 ERA+. For a Braves team with a need for relief pitching, Finnegan could pique Alex Anthopoulos’ interest.
Austin Hays, OF, Phillies
Traded by the Orioles at the deadline, the acquisition didn’t quite work out for the Phillies. Hays only hit two home runs and a .672 OPS over 22 games in Philly. He still finished with an above average OPS+ for the fourth straight year. He’s right-handed power bat that could perhaps platoon with Jarred Kelenic if the Braves can’t do any better.
Jordan Romano, RP, Blue Jays
From 2021 to 2023, Romano was excellent for Toronto, saving 95 games while posting a 2.37 ERA and 11.1 K/9; however, the 31-year-old recorded a 6.59 ERA in 2024 before undergoing season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in July. Buying low on a veteran with a proven track record seems like a Braves move.
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Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sports
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