Atlanta Braves: Top Options at Shortstop Next Offseason
With Dansby Swanson entering his final year with the Atlanta Braves, who are some of the top options they’ll have to consider for shortstop next offseason?
Dansby Swanson has been the shortstop of the Atlanta Braves for five straight seasons — about to be six — and it’s been an up-and-down journey.
But his time at the position could come to end after the 2022 season, leaving a huge vacancy that needs to be filled by GM Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta Braves.
These are some of the top options to choose from entering the next offseason.
Braves Option 1 — Bring Back Dansby Swanson
Whether they look to extend Dansby Swanson now or re-sign him after the season, bringing him back might be the best and easiest option for the team.
A lot will depend on how the 2022 season goes for Dansby — who is still just 28 years old.
We know he wants to play in Atlanta and loves playing here. But we also knew that was the case for Freddie Freeman and look how that ended up. And oh, by the way, Dansby uses the same agency as Freeman.
The same will be true for Dansby as it was for Freddie, if you love Atlanta and want to play here, you may have to take a little less than what you think you’re worth.
Alex Anthopoulos is not to be messed with in negotiations.
If Dansby is willing to take a team-friendly deal for around $10-$12 million over four or five years, then bringing him back makes a ton of sense. You already know you can win with this guy.
Braves Option 2 — Give Braden Shewmake
When the Braves drafted Braden Shewmake with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, they likely envisioned him taking over the shortstop job around this time.
Like many young players, the 2020 season didn’t help his development. And then he struggled out of the gate in 2021.
However, he did rebound hitting .284 between June-August before struggling again in the final month.
He’s always seemed more destined for a utility/bench role, but perhaps if he starts to put it together at the plate in 2022, he could earn a shot to win the job in 2023.
Braves Option 3 — Call-up Vaughn Grissom
This is a long shot as Vaughn Grissom has only played 12 games at High-A, but he’s gaining a lot of momentum after a big 2021 season and an impressive showing early in Spring Training.
It will be interesting to see how aggressive the Braves are with him in 2022. If they start him at Double-A, then perhaps they have hopes of him getting a chance to take over the shortstop position in 2023.
If they do decide to go with Shewmake or Grissom, it would still be wise to sign a veteran shortstop next offseason to help ease the young guys along. Orlando Arcia could help fill that role as well.
Braves Option 4 — Sign Trea Turner
The best shortstop currently set to hit the free-agent market next offseason is current Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner.
Dansby Swanson would be the next-best shortstop on the market behind him at this point.
Turner is entering his age 29 season, so he’ll essentially be signing as a 30-year old shortstop next offseason.
He’s been one of the best players in the game for six years. However, he struggled to stay healthy early in his career.
Last year he took his game to another level as a near 7-WAR player and a top MVP candidate hitting 28 home runs with 32 stolen bases and a 142 wRC+.
He’s likely headed for a big deal, and giving a 30-year old shortstop that much money is a bit scary. But the speed and power combination of Ronald Acuna Jr. and Trea Turner atop a lineup would be deadly.
Braves Option 5 — Sign Carlos Correa or Xander Bogaerts if Available
There is a chance that both of these players opt-out of their current contracts and join the free agent ranks next offseason.
Adding them in with Turner and Swanson would create a pretty great free agent class at shorstop.
Xander would be entering his age 30 season, while Correa would just be entering his age 28 season.
Correa is coming off a 5.8 WAR and 134 wRC+ season and yet his market never developed this past offseason. It will be interesting to see if he thinks his market will be better next offseason — of course, a lot of that will depend on how his season goes.
Next. Bring Back Julio!. dark
Like with Turner, it’s hard to imagine the Braves handing out another big contract. But the front office wasn’t afraid to spend this past offseason — so who knows at this point.