Atlanta Braves: Finding the Perfect Right-handed Bench Bat
If there is one significant move left to be made this offseason for the Atlanta Braves, it's likely finding a right-handed bench bat who can play in the outfield.
And "significant" doesn't necessarily mean "expensive". Last year the Atlanta Braves signed Kevin Pillar to a minor league deal in January and he served as the primary right-handed bench bat all season. Depending on whether he decides to hang it up or not, Pillar could be a viable option to serve the same role in 2024.
While the hope is Jarred Kelenic will become the everyday left fielder, that's not a guarantee. When the Seattle Mariners were in a postseason race the last week of 2023, they consistently sat Kelenic against lefty starters.
The Braves will at the very least need someone on the bench who can handle left-handed pitching in case Kelenic's struggles against southpaws continue (it was better at the beginning of 2023 but fell off in the second half).
As Lindsay pointed out here, the Braves could be up against their luxury tax budget of $277M after the trade for Sale -- if they don't want to go over that third threshold.
We're talking about finding someone for less than $5 million, or even on a split contract.
Former Braves trade acquisition Robbie Grossman would be nice with his 158 wRC+ against lefties last year, but he's likely too expensive. Same for Randal Grichuk as he would be another solid option.
Michael A Taylor would be very intriguing because of his ability to not only hit lefties but also play good center-field defense in case something happened to Michael Harris II. You can say the same for Harrison Bader as well.
But even those two might be out of the Braves price range.
A lot of Braves fans keep mentioning Adam Duvall as an option, but some may be surprised to know he has a wRC+ of 87 against lefties over the past three seasons.
Other free agents who make sense but might be too expensive include A.J. Pollock, Kiké Hernández, Whit Merrifield, and Tommy Pham.
You likely don't want Darin Ruf in left field very often, but he has a 134 wRC+ against lefties in 363 plate appearances over the last three years.
Chad Pinder is someone who was with the Braves briefly last year and has good career numbers against lefties with a .778 OPS.
They could bring in Jordan Luplow again as he has a career OPS of .833 against lefties, but just a .183 average and 95 wRC+ against them the last three years with a 28.7 percent strikeout rate.
Do they dare bring back the swords (Guillermo Heredia) after he slashed .324/.385/.461 in the KBO last year? Probably not.
If they decide to go the trade route, there are a number of players who make sense.
Depending on what the plan is in Boston, Rob Refsnyder is making just $1.8 million in 2024 and has a 142 wRC+ against lefties in 282 plate appearances the last three years.
Austin Slater is in his last year of arbitration with the Giants and set to make $4 million with great career numbers against lefties.
Taylor Ward (Angels), Stone Garrett (Nationals), Ramón Laureano (Athletics), Austin Hays (Orioles), Brent Rooker (Athletics), Edward Olivares (Royals), Manuel Margot (Rays), and Connor Joes (Pirates) all have a wRC+ over 110 against lefties the past three years and would be solid trade acquisitions.
While the Braves don't use their bench very often, they do need a right-handed bat who can play in the outfield.
If that player can also play on the infield (hello Mr. Merrifield) then even better.
There are some solid names on this list, but finding the right one at the right cost is likely the last significant piece of what has been a weird puzzle for Alex Anthopoulos this offseason.
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