Players Atlanta Braves Should Consider Non-tendering

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 31: Adam Duvall #14 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning in Game Five of the World Series at Truist Park on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 31: Adam Duvall #14 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning in Game Five of the World Series at Truist Park on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Braves have several players that will go through arbitration this offseason, here are the ones they should not tender a contract to. 

If the Atlanta Braves are looking for ways to cut payroll this offseason in order to re-sign Freddie Freeman and possibly make another big splash or two, then non-tendering some players could be a way to get that done.

MLB Trade Rumors is pretty good every year with their projected arbitration numbers.

Right now they list the Braves with 15 arbitration-eligible players who are projected to make a combined $52.2 million.

Obviously, they aren’t going to non-tender all 15 and save $50 million. But I do believe there are several on here who it would make sense to non-tender and save some money.

Let’s start with the obvious ones the Braves should keep: Dansby Swanson ($10.1M), Luke Jackson ($3.8M), A.J. Minter ($2.1M), Max Fried ($7.1M), Tyler Matzek ($1.5M), and Austin Riley ($4.3M).

That’s six-of-15 for $28.9 million.

And the obvious ones they should let go: Grant Dayton ($1.2M), Edgar Santana ($1M), and Guillermo Heredia ($1.6M)

That’s three players for a savings of $3.8 million.

Much was made from the Mark Bowman article suggestion the Braves could non-tender Mike Soroka. I think it’s worth the $3 million risk as he still has the potential to be a top of rotation pitcher.

Adam Duvall is probably another hot topic one, and I actually would not tender him a contract at $9 million.

That’s mainly because I’d rather have back Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario, or even Joc Pederson over Duvall at that price.

It wouldn’t be a shock if they non-tendered Orlando Arcia, but I like having him as infield depth. I believe he’s out of minor league options, though.

Richard Rodriguez is an interesting one as well. Three million is a lot for someone who you didn’t even trust on your postseason roster.

If they keep him, it’s only out of pride because they traded for him.

I think Johan Camargo and Sean Newcomb could be non-tendered if the Braves aren’t able to trade them. Both seem like solid trade candidates.

Camargo just needs a place where he can play. And Newcomb needs a change of scenery.

If they really wanted to save money, they could non-tender Duvall ($9.1M), Dayton ($1.2M), Arcia ($2.1M), Heredia ($1.6M), Rodriguez ($3.1M), Camargo ($1.4M), Newcomb ($900K), and Santana ($1M).

They’ve already cut Dayton and Santana. But if they non-tender or trade all of those players, which they won’t, but they could save $20.5 million.

That should be enough to get the Freddie Freeman deal done, right? Let me know in the comments who you would non-tender this offseason and why.

Schedule