The Atlanta Braves didn't have the most active offseason but were interested in many of the big names available. Unfortunately, there was fierce competition and high prices to contend with.
Some players of interest would have been massive additions to the roster but things don't always work out how you want them to. Let's check in on how some of these missed targets have faired so far during spring training.
Here's how the Braves missed offseason targets have performed so far this spring
Willy Adames
The Braves are always interested in improving the team if an upgrade exists. Orlando Arcia has been a great defensive asset for Atlanta at the shortstop position. While he had a great 2023 offensively, he's been rather weak in that department overall. This led many to believe the team would go after talented free agent Willy Adames who is much better offensively.
Atlanta had interest in the 29-year-old who had a great 2024 with 33 doubles, 32 home runs, and 112 RBI. However, he priced himself out of the Braves comfort zone and landed with the Giants on a seven-year, $182 million contract. Adames has done well this spring with a .385 average (5-for-13) over 5 games with two RBI, two walks, and three strikeouts. He'll be a great addition for the Giants but it's understandable why the Braves passed on him.
Garrett Crochet
The Red Sox were the envy of baseball as they landed Crochet in a trade with the White Sox this offseason. He was the best option available via trade and he would have been an incredible add for the Braves. With Max Fried and Charlie Morton leaving, he'd have filed a massive void. However, the asking price was very high. Boston had to give up four of their top prospects to get a deal done.
Crochet is no doubt a difference maker and he proved that with a 3.58 ERA over 32 starts with 209 K for Chicago last season. He's only appeared in 3.1 innings so far this spring and has allowed four hits, walked four batters, and struck out seven. The walk-to-strikeout ratio isn't great but expected this early in spring.
Tanner Scott
Rumors swirled all offseason that the Braves had interest in former Marlins and Padres closer, Tanner Scott. Multiple teams also had interest and it put the ball in Scott's court for the final decision. Unfortunately, he followed suit with many recent free agents and signed with the Dodgers.
Scott signed a four-year, $72MM deal with Los Angeles after impressing with a 1.75 ERA in 2024 between the Marlins and Padres. He appeared in 72 games with 36 walks and 84 strikeouts. His spring has been rough so far as he has a 9.00 ERA over three innings, including three runs on three hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.
Jeff Hoffman
Hoffman was an early offseason target for the Braves as they planned on utilizing the ex-Phillies reliever like Reynaldo Lopez. He was going to get an opportunity to start in 2025. A deal was reached initially but concerns over his shoulder health led to the deal falling through. Reports were that Atlanta offered him a five-year contract of around $45 million. The Orioles also passed on him due to medical concerns but he ultimately landed with the Blue Jays on a three-year, $33 million contract.
Hoffman was great last season with a 2.17 ERA, 16 walks, and 89 strikeouts. He's only pitched in one spring game so far with nine pitches and one strikeout. If he stays healthy, he'll be a great addition for the Jays who originally drafted him in 2014. They plan on letting him close games this season.
Nathan Eovaldi
Eovaldi is entering his 14th MLB season and would have been an incredible addition to the Braves rotation. He impressed last season over 170.2 innings with a 3.80 ERA, 42 walks, and 166 strikeouts. Health was a concern with the righty as he's had a history with injuries but he showed he still can get things done.
He decided to return to the Rangers on a three-year, $75MM contract. He's pitched five innings this spring with a 5.40 ERA with three runs on five hits. Eovaldi has walked one batter and struck out four. Another case of it being early in spring and pitchers having to refine their stuff after the offseason.
Overall, the Braves could have benefitted from any of these players joining the organization but that's how it goes during a competitive offseason. It'll be interesting to see how each player above performs this season.