According to the Braves account on Twitter/X, the club has inked outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2025 season.
https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1868321378870735047
The soon-to-be 28-year-old is familiar with the NL East, and the Braves are familiar with De La Cruz. He spent the last four seasons in Miami, going from a part-time role to an everyday outfielder for the Marlins.
Across parts of four seasons with the Fish, De La Cruz hit .263/.311/.420 with 37 homers over 1200 plate appearances. Since his best seasons in 2021 and 2022, his production has continued to trend downward.
As a rookie, he posted a 111 wRC+, which fell to a 99 wRC+ in 2022, 90 in 2023 and then 77 last season. He did hit 21 home runs, but he posted a pretty ugly .233/.271/.384 slash line with the Marlins and Pirates last year.
Pittsburgh decided to non-tender De La Cruz instead of paying him around $4 million. At this point, the Braves are just filling out the depth in the outfield. He doesn’t take his walks, he strikes out a lot, he’s not very good in the field but has some pop. That’s the skinny on De La Cruz.
It’s a no-risk move for the Braves, though, being a non-guaranteed contract. Atlanta has had success with reclamation projects in the past, so perhaps De La Cruz can improve his approach and become an asset for Atlanta.
In an ideal world, he turns into a controllable outfielder with team control through the 2027 campaign with two minor-league options. In that same breath, the Braves can effectively wipe their hands clean before Opening Day if they see nothing in Spring Training.
De La Cruz cannot be the only outfielder the Braves acquire, and I doubt he will be. Jarred Kelenic is going to get an opportunity to prove he can be a regular contributor, but he did finish last year relegated on the bench, and Ronald Acuna Jr. will be out for at least six weeks. Michael Harris II is the only no-doubt starter returning in 2025.
The Braves still have a lot to do this offseason.
—
Photographer: Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.