Free agency is just a few weeks away as the MLB playoffs are about to enter the League Championship Series. For the Atlanta Braves, free agency represents a chance to put the stink of their early playoff exit behind them and get their roster in a good spot heading into the lockout and (hopefully) the 2027 season.
However, not all free agents are created equal, and this upcoming free-agent class is pretty shallow, especially in quality bats. Some, like Randy Arozarena, could be valuable additions to the Braves' roster. Unfortunately, others may technically fit Atlanta's needs, but who the team should probably steer clear of.
There are the free agents the Braves need to immediately take off their target list this offseason
There are many potential reasons to avoid a free agent. Injury history, flawed profile, or simply being too expensive for what the player provides are all justifications to look elsewhere. This list isn't the list of the worst free agents on the market. If you need an explanation as to why Jeimer Candelario would be a bad signing, seek professional help. Instead, this is a list of free agents who might look intriguing at first glance, but who the Braves should avoid after a closer look.
Jazz Chisholm
It wasn’t that long ago that the Braves acquiring Jazz Chisholm would have been legitimately exciting, especially after his early years with the Marlins. He is a talented infielder who can hit for power while being a terror on the base paths.
Unfortunately, Chisholm will end up costing more than he is worth thanks to his name recognition and potential. The Braves don't need a second baseman as long as Ozzie Albies is around, and Chisholm's previous attempts to play shortstop and third base weren't particularly exciting. Someone is going to pay Chisholm in hopes that they will get the best version of him, but Chisholm’s hit tool is too inconsistent (he has never hit higher than .256 in a single season) to justify the likely cost as an imperfect roster fit.
Ian Happ
The Braves need offense more than anything else. Ideally, Atlanta would acquire a hitter that can hit from the right side of the plate to balance their lineup. At first glance, it appears that switch-hitting outfielder Ian Happ could be a solid fit.
However, Happ has not only been significantly worse against lefties than righties in his career, but his bat is also questionable in general. Much of his value comes from being a plus outfield defender who draws some walks, but Happ has only hit .238 over the last four seasons combined. That has value, but isn't the type of production the Braves need right now, especially when you factor in the price tag signing Happ is likely to require.
George Springer
The current version of George Springer is not close to being the same dynamic player he once was with the Astros, as injuries and Father Time have taken their toll on the now 37-year-old former All-Star. Compounding the problem, Springer has slowed to the point where you can't really put him in the outfield anymore, putting even more pressure on a bat that only mustered a .726 OPS this past season.
The bigger problem may be Springer's willingness itself. After a tough 2026 season in Toronto, Springer has made comments that openly flirted with retirement. Even if he decides to come back for one more season, it seems like his heart is elsewhere right now.
Matthew Boyd
Boyd was a fun story in 2024 and 2025, as he returned from Tommy John surgery to be a pretty decent pitcher with the Guardians and Cubs after a mediocre 11 seasons before that. With a free-agent pitching class that drops off significantly after the top few names, that looks appealing.
However, Boyd looked more like his former subpar self in 2026, and his low strikeout rate is asking for trouble. At 35 years old, Atlanta shouldn't even entertain giving Boyd (or other pitchers like him) a multi-year deal, and a one-year deal only really makes sense with Boyd if he is unreasonably cheap.
Chris Bassitt
The story with Chris Bassitt is very similar to Boyd’s in a number of ways. Bassitt was once one of the more consistently solid starters in MLB. Through 2023, Bassitt had three top-10 Cy Young finishes while forging a strong reputation as one of the league's best innings-eating starters.
Unfortunately, age comes for us all, and Bassitt’s drop-off hasn't been kind. Over the last three seasons, Bassitt struggled to a 4.18 ERA across 443.1 innings, and he just had surgery in June to remove a bone spur in his back. At almost 38 years old, Bassitt is a gamble the Braves should let someone else take.
Brady Singer
At one point, Brady Singer was considered a first-round talent at the University of Florida before being selected at No. 18 overall by the Royals. In 2022, Singer had a breakout season after posting 4.5 rWAR with a 3.23 ERA, which he followed up with two solid seasons in 2024 and 2025.
However, Singer was pretty bad in 2026 with the Reds, with a 5.85 ERA in 157 innings. Singer's biggest problem is the long ball, and he gave up 32 of them this past season. In the modern game of baseball, the last thing you want is to be homer-prone. Unfortunately, that is exactly what Singer is, and it is only getting worse as his stuff diminishes.
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