Clock is ticking for Braves to make tough decision on veteran outfielder

For three and a half seasons, Ramon Laureano was one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball. Then an injury and PED suspension derailed his career.

Ramón Laureano’s walk-off single in the 13th inning of his first game made him the first Athletic to hit a walk-off RBI hit as their first major league hit. He went on to notch two multi-homer games in his first 29 days in the majors.

Everyone knew about his bat when the 2019 season began, and over the next three seasons, they’d learn to respect his outfield defense and his strong, accurate arm. However, in August 2021 he was suspended for the use of a PED.

MLB suspended him for 80 games, and during that suspension he underwent core surgery and wasn’t back in the Major League lineup until May 2022. He struggled in 2022 and the first half of 2023, so the Athletics designated him for assignment. The Guardians claimed him, and he played well enough to get a new contract for 2024.

Laureano has always been a slow starter, and 2024 was particularly a slow start. Eventually, he lost his starting job and the Guardians released him. Five days later the Braves signed him to a minor league deal and assigned him to Gwinnett.

In fourteen games with the Stripers, Laureano batted .362/.424/.603 and the Braves then brought him to Atlanta. With the Braves Laureano batted .296/.327/.505 with 10 homers,13 doubles, drove in 29 runs, and posted a .357 wOBA with a 129 wRC+ in 226 PA.

His arm is still strong and accurate. While Statcast doesn’t particularly like Laureano’s defense, it does put his arm in the 90th percentile, and he can play any place in the outfield.

Braves need to make a decision on Laureano's future

Laureano is arbitration-eligible, and I expect the Braves to bring him back at something near the MLBTR estimate of $6.5M. The Braves have until November 22 to decide if they will tender Laureano a contract.

The Atlanta Braves have filled the fourth outfielder role with replacement-level players for a long time, and when pressed into use, the offense suffered. Laureano changes that paradigm.

We know Ronald Acuña Jr. may need rest, and Laureano hits lefties well, so he would get some reps in left as well, and we won’t get the ghost of Adam Duvall filling in for Jarred Kelenic. The depth Laureano would provide makes this choice more intriguing.

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