While the Braves have needs in the outfield and rotation, it’s been relievers that the club has been linked to in free agency, most notably Tanner Scott.
The top relief arm on the free agent market inked a $72 million deal over the weekend to join the Dodgers, a theme for the offseason. The phrase the rich get richer doesn’t even do LA’s winter justice.
The Evil Empire is back, and it’s worse than anything the Yankees ever did. The Dodgers have over a billion dollars deferred while stacking every facet of their roster in the process. Even when it came down to circumstances other than money, LA still wins — i.e., Roki Sasaki.
The Braves cannot rest on their laurels if they want another shot at the Commissioner’s Trophy. Alex Anthopoulos’ front office has been most connected to relievers, but that doesn’t mean the outfield and rotation aren’t concerns.
Still, if it’s the bullpen the Braves are interested in bolstering, there’s no shortage of options left on the free agent market, including some old friends.
Braves Free Agent Targets
David Robertson (40 years old, 3.1 WAR)
Kenley Jansen (37, 2.5)
Carlos Estévez (32, 2.1)
Danny Coulombe (35, 1.9)
Dylan Floro (34, 1.8)
Kirby Yates (38, 1.8)
Jakob Junis (32, 1.6)
Craig Kimbrel (37, 1.3)
Buck Farmer (34, 1.2)
Paul Sewald (35, 1.2)
Tim Mayza (33, 1.2)
Scott Barlow (32, 1.1)
Jalen Beeks (31, 1.1)
Trevor Gott (32, 1.0)
Brooks Raley (37, 1.0)
Héctor Neris (36, 0.9)
Andrew Chafin (35, 0.9)
Ian Gibaut (31, 0.9)
Colin Poche (31, 0.8)
Scott Alexander (35, 0.8)
Joe Kelly (37, 0.8)
Ryan Yarbrough (33, 0.8)
Dillon Tate (31, 0.7)
Adbert Alzolay (30, 0.7)
Will Smith (35, 0.7)
Phil Maton (32, 0.7)
Ryan Borucki (31, 0.6)
Drew Smyly (36, 0.6)
John Brebbia (35, 0.5)
Jesse Chavez (41, 0.5)
In terms of WAR produced last season, David Robertson is the best available, followed by Kenley Jansen and Carlos Estévez. All three would be welcome additions to Atlanta. Someone like Kirby Yates could also be interesting. He was quietly one of the best relievers in all of baseball last season.
All this to say, if the Braves are not satisfied with their relief core, there are options to improve it, even high-leverage guys.
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Photographer: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
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