Atlanta Braves Black Friday Free Agent Deals
While we wait for the top of the market to filter out, here are some free-agent deals the Atlanta Braves could make to fill out the roster for pretty cheap.
It's the holiday season and everyone is out looking for the best deals -- that includes Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos.
The hope for AA and many Braves fans is still to land a big piece this offseason for the starting rotation and possibly left field. But there are still several open roster spots that need to be filled, and they likely need to be filled at a fairly cheap price.
Let's do some Black Friday shopping!
Whit Merrifield
The veteran utility player will turn 35 in January and certainly isn't the impact player he was early in his career, but it gives the Braves a reliable bat who can play all over.
Merrifield did make the All-Star team last year with the Blue Jays, but finished the season with an OPS+ of 94. He hasn't had an OPS+ over 100 since 2020.
Still, he hit .272 with double-digit homers and over 20 stolen bases.
Getting Merrifield brings an added benefit as he could help mold Vaughn Grissom into that super-utility role -- assuming Grissom remains in the future plans for the Braves.
MLB Trade Rumors predicts Merrifield getting a two-year deal for $18M. I'd see if you could get him on sale for 1 year at $8 million with a 2025 team option and a $2 million buyout.
Luis Severino
This is a name I've been throwing around a lot this offseason, as the upside is tremendous.
The downside is very real too, as he was one of the worst pitchers in all of baseball last year with a 6.65 ERA and 1.65 WHIP.
His still just 29 and had a good season in 2019 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.
He still throws hard with a fastball that averaged 96.5 MPH last year -- but it's a pitch that got crushed mainly because he couldn't locate his secondaries.
If the Braves could get him on a one-year deal at $10-$12 million as he tries to turn things around and hit free agency again, it could be a great bargain for the Braves.
Jason Heyward
Others have suggested this to me this offseason, but it actually makes a lot of sense to bring the Georgia native back.
Last year with the Dodgers, he had a wRC+ of 123 against right-handed pitching in 308 at-bats with 13 home runs and a .276 average.
The 34-year-old also remains a plus defender in the outfield even if the speed and arm have diminished a bit.
After a resurgent year in LA, he may have opportunities to get more playing time for lesser teams, but if he wants the chance to compete for another World Series perhaps he'll be willing to come back home on a one-year deal for $8 million with a team option and $2 million buyout.
Bargain Basement Deals
All of these are guys you might be able to get on either a minor league deal or less than $2 million.
Billy McKinney -- A left-handed outfield bat that had a 100 wRC+ against righties last year with 6 home runs in 137 plate appearances. Not quite the defense or veteran presence that Kevin Pillar brought, but similar type of production.
Nick Ahmed -- Another chance to bring a former Brave home, Ahmed isn't going to give you much with the bat but would replace the defensive backup lost with Nick Lopez getting traded.
Jaime Barria -- The 27-year-old might get actual money this offseason, but he fits the mold of someone who can either be a bulk reliever or give you a spot start -- the old Josh Tomlin role.
With the Thanksgiving holiday over and the Winter Meetings approaching, the hot stove is about to heat up. Good luck finding the best deals!
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Projecting the 2024 Atlanta Braves' arbitration salaries
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