As we progress towards Thanksgiving the MLB offseason is still trying to find it's stride. Yes, the hot stove isn't very hot quite yet. Maybe the Braves need to go get some lighter fluid to warm this winter up.
Atlanta has been described as monitoring the market on a couple names, but we're getting closer and closer to December and Alex Anthopoulos has been surprisingly quiet thus far. However, making a move for the sake of making a move shouldn't be AA's memo either. Here I'll go through a list of players that make sense for Atlanta, but Anthopoulos should be steering clear of.
Willy Adames
Upgrading shortstop should be a priority for Alex Anthopoulos this winter. Sadly, the options simply aren't there in both quality and quantity. Adames is the clear star of the free agent shortstop group, but that doesn't mean he comes without flaws.
It's most likely Adames is going to warrant a big payday after coming off a career 2024 season. He'd be a great talent to add, but I have the feeling by the end of his contract the deal could look ugly. Unless Anthopoulos can pull this off for a deal that's four years or less the Braves should look elsewhere in free agency.
Jose Quintana
The Braves have a ton of innings they'll likely need to replace in the rotation this offseason. Adding a veteran backend starter makes a lot of sense for the front office. However, Quintana's numbers don't really tell the direction he's heading.
He's maintained a respectable ERA over the past few seasons, but Quintana doesn't really do a great job at missing bats. The Braves should aim higher when looking for an addition for the rotation.
Ha Seong-Kim
Again we take a look at a possible upgrade at shortstop this time via Ha Seong-Kim. The longtime Padre has been an underrated player for quite sometime. While he doesn't hit for much power, Kim's consistent plus glove and on-base skills make him a quality big league starter.
Unfortunately, Kim's risk is due to his shoulder surgery that will likely keep him sidelined until the summer of 2025. Given how unpredictable shoulders can be handing out any significant money for Kim is a major gamble for any front office.
Paul DeJong
The final shortstop free agent is a guy that was traded at last year's deadline. DeJong went on to have a really solid run with the Royals after getting away from the White Sox. He somewhat rejuvenated his career last season, but that doesn't mean teams will be lining up for his services.
DeJong will not command a large contract, but the swing and miss in his approach and lack of on-base skills that the offense desperately needs make this potential signing an easy pass.
Colin Rea
Another low velocity arm that many think could be a bargain and eat some innings for the Braves in 2025 is veteran Colin Rea. He pitched to a 4.29 ERA in over 160 innings last season, and his sinker/sweeper combo gave hitters fits last year.
However, his peripherals don't really check the boxes on what Anthopolous likes in a pitcher. Expect Rea to land a deal with a lesser team looking for veteran innings.
Colin Rea, K'ing the Side in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/AWqqr1x246
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 29, 2024
Andrew Heaney
33 year-old lefty Andrew Heaney still attacks the strike zone with his fastball/sweeper combo. Heaney still has valuable innings left in his arm, but it's likely the Braves won't look to add him into their group of arms.
Atlanta would likely be better suited finding out what prospects AJ Smith-Shawver or Hurston Waldrep could do at the Major League level rather than bring in Heaney.
Craig Kimbrel
Former Braves Rookie of the Year Craig Kimbrel is long removed from his prime closer days in Atlanta. So much so that he was left of Baltimore's postseason roster in 2024. Kimbrel still misses bats at an elite rate (93rd percentile in K%), but he also issues walks at an alarming rate.
The Braves need to add a bullpen after they lost high-leverage Joe Jimenez to injury for most of 2025, but a reunion with Kimbrel isn't the answer.
Charlie Morton
The now 41 year-old Morton has announced he plans to pitch again in 2025, despite many thinking retirement was firmly on the table. Morton shouldn't come at the $20 million price tag he had each of the last two years, but no matter what deal he lands the Braves should aim higher.
Morton showcased that he still has the stuff to get big league hitters out. However, father time waits for no one, and there's no telling when those 95 mph fastballs and 3,000 RPM curveballs turn into much more hittable pitches.