Four Areas The Atlanta Braves Can Improve Through Free Agency
By Deke Lloyd
Following the disappointing end to the season, the Atlanta Braves will return next season looking to build off the good that was so much of last season. With a slew of free agents on the market, the Braves will have options when it comes to retooling.
The Braves will have a bad taste in their mouth going into the offseason after getting embarrassed in the NLDS and the Washington Nationals, Atlanta’s main rival, making a run to the World Series. With money to spend this offseason, the Braves will have plenty of options to choose from, depending on how much money the Braves are willing to spend. First, however, the Braves will have some decisions to make about their players.
Nick Markakis and Julio Teheran have team options coming into the 2020 season. Billy Hamilton and Tyler Flowers are in the same position as Markakis and Teheran, however, I don’t see the Braves bringing back Hamilton back. Flowers is an interesting case with Brian McCann retiring.
With that said, Teheran has a 12 million dollar option and a 1 million dollar buyout. After so many years of service with the Braves, I am predicting that the Braves will move on from Julio Teheran this offseason. Teheran was initially left off the postseason roster before being a late addition after Chris Martin went down with an injury. Teheran did not bode well in his only appearance, possibly his last appearance in a Braves uniform.
Markakis’s situationis a little more complicated. Markakis has a 6 million dollar team option and a 2 million dollar buyout. At the moment, the Braves 2020 starting outfield, sans Markakis, would be Ronald Acuna and Ender Inciarte with a spot open for Adam Duvall, Matt Joyce, or Markakis, if the Braves bring him back. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Braves go out to get a bigger bat but it feels like the Braves will bring Markakis back for one last run with the team.
With the additions and subtractions, the Braves will have some room for free agency signings, in the field and on the mound. Clearly, the Braves need some reinforcements if this team wants to continue to progress in the postseason. Here are some options for the Braves to pursue in free agency.