Atlanta Braves free agent profile: A.J. Pollock

The Cost

There are two aspects of cost with Pollock to consider. First, Pollock was ranked as the #8 overall free agent in MLB Trade Rumors of the top 50 free agents available this offseason. MLBTR projected Pollock to receive a 4-year, $60 million contract. That’s a $15 million average annual value.

The other cost to consider is that Pollock declined a qualifying offer. For the Atlanta Braves, that would mean they forfeit their third-highest pick, which would be their second-round pick.

Would he be worth it?

Much of Pollock’s value in that level of contract is tied up in playing center field. He would not be playing center field for the Atlanta Braves, and that will change how the team views a potential contract with him.

Certainly, with his injury issues, the four years mentioned by MLBTR would not be a wise choice by the Atlanta Braves, but the team has already shown a willingness to go after a player for a single year to help him build value and provide value to the team that one year.

However, that has been with guys not tied to a qualifying offer pick. That offer does change things, and most likely changes the Braves interest as they’d likely want to sign a guy to a long-term deal (Bryce Harper or Craig Kimbrel, for instance).

Most likely, the Atlanta Braves won’t be in on A.J. Pollock due to the qualifying offer. However, if they were able to get the right deal, plugging in Pollock along with Inciarte and Acuna in the outfield could lead to an elite defensive outfielder.