The Braves are expected to be quite active this offseason, and Alex Anthopoulos didn’t wait long to get busy this winter.
Atlanta’s GM traded Jorge Soler and the entirety of his $32 million to the Angels in exchange for Griffin Canning. It’ll be far from the only move as the Hot Stove heats up.
There are a few obvious places the Braves can upgrade. The outfield is a blank canvas for Anthopoulos in the wake of Soler’s departure. The pitching staff can be refined, but shortstop has been the weakest link of the club ever since the departure of Dansby Swanson two offseasons ago.
Orlando Arica is nothing more than a stopgap option, but is the long-term solution going to be available this winter? Most fans believe it’s Willy Adames, and so does ESPN’s David Schoenfield, who named the Braves the best free agent fit for the crown jewel of the class.
“Adames probably priced himself out of Milwaukee with a big offensive season, plus the Brewers have Joey Ortiz in place to take over at shortstop. The Braves are a clear fit: Though they have Orlando Arcia under contract for $2 million, their offense surprisingly fell apart for much of 2024 and Arcia hit just .218/.271/.354. Arcia is the better defender, but Adames is fine at shortstop and brings much more offense. The question is whether Atlanta can fit Adames in its payroll and whether it’ll be willing to pay the free agent rate,” Schoenfield writes.
The last part is the biggest factor. Will the Braves finally pony up the kind of free agent contract that Alex Anthopoulos has been reluctant to do since taking over in Atlanta? Marcell Ozuna’s $65 million free agent contract is the largest of AA’s tenure, but Adames is just entering his prime and is coming off a season in which he mashed 32 home runs. He might just be worth it.
Unfortunately, the reason this feels unlikely is the other potential suitors, which Schoenfeld identified as the Dodgers and Giants. Both clubs in California have a need for a marquee shortstop and aren’t afraid to write a big check.
After spending a billion dollars last offseason, it shouldn’t surprise Braves fans if the reigning World Series champions come away with Willy Adames, Max Fried, and more.
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Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire
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