The Braves aren’t known for being the biggest spenders in free agency. In fact, the largest deal Alex Anthopoulos has ever handed out was a four-year, $65 million contract to Marcell Ozuna before the 2021 season. Still, the Braves showed they’re willing to spend for the right fit, offering Aaron Nola well over $100 million last offseason. This winter, with some key needs to address, here are a few marquee free agents that could be on the Braves’ radar.
Anthony Santander
After hitting a career-high 44 home runs for the Orioles this year, Anthony Santander has firmly established himself as one of the premier power hitters in the game. However, that’s about all he does well. Santander doesn’t hit for average, doesn’t walk often, and is below-average defensively. 44 home runs is enough to overshadow all of those deficiencies, but only if the price makes sense. Handing a 30-year-old that only does one thing well a 4-5 year contract could be a franchise altering mistake.
Willy Adames
The Braves have been linked to Willy Adames in recent years, and with him hitting free agency, the interest will likely intensify. Adames is the top shortstop on the market and would fill a big need for Atlanta. But with few starting-caliber shortstops available, he’s in demand, and plenty of teams will be bidding. The Braves may have to open the checkbook wider than usual to bring Adames to Atlanta, but his All-Star caliber play could be worth the investment.
Blake Snell
While Max Fried’s future with the Braves remains uncertain, Blake Snell could be an appealing alternative if Fried’s bidding war gets too steep. The two-time Cy Young winner was dominant in the second half of 2024, and at his best, he’s a top-five pitcher in the game. Though Snell won’t come cheap, he might be open to a shorter-term contract than Fried, making him a more flexible option for the Braves rotation.
Teoscar Hernandez
If the Braves want a power-hitting outfielder, Teoscar Hernandez might be a better fit than Anthony Santander. Hernandez has hit 25 or more home runs in each of the last five full seasons, with a career-high 33 homers this season. He’s two years older than Santander, but that likely means he’ll be open to a shorter deal. A three-year, $75 million contract for his services would be fair.
Tyler O’Neill
Tyler O’Neill is elite when he’s on the field, but health has been a consistent challenge. Despite multiple IL stints, he still hit 34 home runs in 113 games for Boston in 2024. Durability will be a concern for any team looking to sign him, but the Braves took a similar risk on Chris Sale last year, which paid off tremendously. If they’re willing to bet on O’Neill’s health, he could be a steal for Atlanta.
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Photo: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
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