There’s a very real possibility that Orlando Arcia is the Braves Opening Day shortstop again in 2025, even after a dismal 2024 campaign, simply due to the lack of options available. Willy Adames would be ideal, but every club that desires to upgrade the left side of their infield is thinking the exact same thing. Unless the Braves are willing to get out of their comfort zone and into a bidding war, Adames isn’t a realistic option.
Outside of Adames, there’s not really much else. Ha-Seong Kim is the only other free agent worth keeping tabs on, and he won’t be ready for the start of the season after undergoing surgery at the end of the season. Given all of the other injuries the Braves are currently dealing with, he doesn’t feel like a great fit.
On the trade market, it’s difficult to tell if anything will be available. Bo Bichette is not believed to be on the market, and it doesn’t seem like Nico Hoerner of the Cubs will be moved either. However, one intriguing name that has recently emerged is the Royals’ Maikel Garcia, who is reportedly generating some trade interest around the league.
#Royals INF Maikel Garcia is generating trade interest, per @anne__rogers
Garcia, 24, slashed .231/.281/.332 and stole 37 bases over 157 games with KC last season. pic.twitter.com/aQhxRILGsb
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) November 19, 2024
The slash line of Maikel Garcia from 2024 isn’t going to turn any heads. He only hit .231 with seven home runs in 157 games, playing primarily third base. However, he’s fully capable of playing shortstop, and his peripherals are much more encouraging than the surface level numbers.
PLEASE. His peripherals are good, and he works out with Acuña in the winter I think? pic.twitter.com/Ay0OVWr4sT
— Ryan Veneman (@RyanVeneman1) November 20, 2024
Beyond that, Maikel Garcia has swiped 80 bags over the last two seasons, an area that the Braves really struggled in last season after Ronald Acuña Jr. went down with injury. He’s also under team control through 2029 at what will presumably be a very team-friendly rate.
Maikel Garcia is far from Willy Adames, and he’s really nowhere close to Ha-Seong Kim either. However, he’s not going to cost much in terms of prospects, will be 25-years-old next season, and gives Atlanta another quality option to compete with Orlando Arcia. The Braves could do a lot worse this offseason.
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Photo: William Purnell/Icon Sportswire
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