The Atlanta Braves thankfully have few players up for free agency at the end of this season, but the hot stove will still feature several familiar names. General manager Alex Anthopoulos’s tendency to wheel and deal means that dozens of players have come through the Braves’ locker room over the past few seasons. Here’s a rundown of all of the former Braves likely to hit free agency this winter.
Members of the Braves’ World Series run Joc Pederson and A.J. Minter have a slim chance of landing on the free-agent market if they turn down their player options. However, Pederson has been disappointing with the Rangers this year, and Minter has missed much of the Mets’ season due to injury, so they will likely stay put. Similarly, William Contreras has emerged as one of the premier catchers in the Majors, so the Brewers are almost guaranteed to pick up his club option for 2026.
A host of former Braves, such as Kirby Yates and Bryse Wilson, are hitting free agency this winter
The Braves’ bullpen has been something of a revolving door of big-name relievers in recent years, and many of those arms will test the market this offseason. Kirby Yates, who will be 39 at the start of next season, probably still has more gas in the tank, and Kenley Jansen intends to pitch through the end of the decade. Former Braves top prospects Sean Newcomb and Bryse Wilson have made a successful jump from the starting rotation to the bullpen while Lucas Sims has spent much of this year at Triple-A.
Some former Braves pitchers could have a chance to improve their stock in the postseason. Rafael Montero (Detroit), Luke Jackson (Seattle), Shelby Miller (Milwaukee), Erick Fedde (Milwaukee), and Michael Soroka (Chicago Cubs) could be playoff bound if they make their team’s roster in October. Of that group, Fedde may be in line for the biggest payday with Spotrac estimating his market value at $8.8 million, but his transition to a relief role with Atlanta and Milwaukee this season may cut into his earnings in a reliever-rich market.
Two members of the 2025 Braves who were released are likely to be free agents soon: pitcher Cal Quantrill and shortstop Orlando Arcia. Catcher James McCann and utility man Dylan Moore, both of whom moved through the Braves’ farm system but never played for the big-league club, will also be testing the market. Nicky Lopez, who is on a Minor League contract with the Cubs, will hope to find a Major League fit this winter.
Some former Braves are already shopping for their next contract. Outfielder Jason Heyward has been a free agent since being released by the Padres in June. (Maybe the Braves can offer him a one-day contract to go out as a member of his hometown team.) Pitcher Héctor Neris and infielder Gio Urshela have been free agents since August.
And then there are the potential fond farewells. Ageless starter Charlie Morton, now with the Tigers, is hoping for a third World Series ring, but the right-hander will turn 42 in November and could consider retirement. Reliever Chris Martin, who allowed just one postseason run during Atlanta’s march to the championship in 2021, has already indicated that the next few games with the Rangers will likely be his last.