Atlanta Braves: Offseason Free Agency Outlook

3 of 5

Sep 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets center fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits a home run against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Mets defeated the Braves 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION PLAYERS

Notable Free Agents: Daniel Murphy, Matt Wieters, Gerardo Parra, David Murphy (club option), Alejandro de Aza, Steve Pearce, Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton, Jason Heyward, David DeJesus, Matt Wieters, and A.J. Pierzynski.

The Atlanta Braves are more or less locked in most positions for the next few years. 1B Freddie Freeman, SS Adrelton Simmons, 3B Hector Olivera, RF Nick Markakis, and CF Cameron Maybin/ Mallex Smith. Meanwhile, 2B, LF, and Catcher are the primary places where they need improvement or have uncertainty.

The market for catching is terrible. Don’t try and sell me on Matt Wieters who at this point in his career is an older, more expensive and oft injured version of Christian Bethancourt. A.J. Pierzynski should be re-signed and the Atlanta Braves should look to trade for catching elsewhere. Jace Peterson has second base locked up in the near future, and I don’t foresee the Braves making a move to replace him at second via free agency, though Daniel Murphy could field the position.

More from ATL All Day

Left field is the interesting position. Maybe Olivera moves there if Rio Ruiz progresses in a few years. Maybe Mallex Smith gets a call? Swisher and Bourn could be available still. But none of those are immediate or long-term solutions. Gerardo Parra could be had for probably a 4 year deal. I like him and he would provide a consistent bat in the lineup. He would be cheaper, but he would not likely be an impact player. Whether or not his skill set would justify paying him over simply platooning Bourn and Swisher is debatable.

Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes are the top available free agent bats this winter, and they both man left field. Both will likely command large deals as they will both be close to 30 and in the prime of their power hitting years. Cespedes will receive an offer from the Mets, and it will be large, unless the Mets just Met it up like the Mets have been known to do. However, and hear me out, I think the Atlanta Braves should get involved in the bidding for one of these players and here’s why.

I would not be sad if the Braves made a significant offer to Justin Upton for close to 7 years. Players of his caliber are about to get scarce.

What is our in-house plan in left field long-term? We don’t really have one. Braxton Davidson will not be ready until 2018 at the earliest and is primarily playing RF. Who are free agents for LF for next year? Go look. I’ll wait….. Are you back? There aren’t any. None. If the Braves want to compete by 2017, they will need another bat, and LF is the best place to add. I would not be sad if the Braves made a significant offer to Justin Upton for close to 7 years. Players of his caliber are about to get scarce.

Next: Improving the Starting Rotation

Home/Atlanta Braves