There’s a strong case to be made that the outfield is the biggest need for the Atlanta Braves when looking ahead to next season. Michael Harris II is the only proven healthy option currently rostered, and even when Ronald Acuña Jr. does return, who is expected to miss at least the first six weeks of the 2025 campaign, there’s no telling if he’ll be healthy enough to play defense. The Braves really need to add at least one starting-caliber outfielder, but as the free agent market continues to thin, it’s looking unlikely that they come away with one of the top targets, which could force them to pivot to the next tier of players available.
Here are four free agent targets for the Braves that fit that description.
Max Kepler
Kepler’s put together a more than respectable 10-year MLB career, all with the Minnesota Twins, accruing 20.7 WAR with a .746 OPS. In 2023, he put together one of his best seasons, smashing 24 homers over 130 games and finishing the year with an .816 OPS. However, Kepler hit just nine homers this season to go along with a .682 OPS, the second-lowest mark of his career, as injuries limited him to just 105 games. Still, set to turn 32-years-old in a few weeks, he’s proven to be a 2-3 WAR player basically every season and could be relied upon to start everyday if needed.
Alex Verdugo
Verdugo is coming off the worst season of his career, posting a .647 OPS over 149 games with the Yankees. He hasn’t lived up to his once lofty prospect status, but he’s been a more than serviceable starting outfielder for most of his career and is still just 28-years-old. On a short-term deal, the Braves could hope a change of scenery leads to a bounce back campaign in 2025. Over eight MLB seasons, he owns a .742 OPS and 101 OPS+ (1% above league average).
Randal Grichuk
Grichuk might be a little older than the first two free agent targets on this list at 33, and he’s far from a Gold Glove caliber outfielder. But he’s coming off his best offensive season, recording an .875 OPS over 106 games for the Diamondbacks, and he absolutely mashes left-handed pitching, owning an .833 OPS for his career, including a .914 mark this year. Grichuk would be a solid platoon option to pair with Jarred Kelenic if the Braves go that route.
Kiké Hernandez
Hernandez’s numbers aren’t going to blow anyone away, but his defensive versatility and postseason success make him very attractive for competitive clubs. He’s helped the Dodgers to two World Series, and in 86 October games, boasts an .874 OPS, clubbing 15 homers, seven doubles, and two triples.
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Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire
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