Assessing what the Braves need to do with Jarred Kelenic after disappointing 2024 season

In early December of 2023, Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta Braves utilized the annual MLB Winter Meetings to fill the last outfield spot after the departure of Eddie Rosario and Kevin Pillar. The Braves organization usually has a way of helping players find their full potential. This was the thought process behind acquiring former top Mariners prospect Jarred Kelenic.

Through three seasons with Seattle, Kelenic appeared in just 252 games. Over this stretch, he posted a .204 batting average with 32 home runs and 109 RBI. Many believed these numbers were not higher simply because he was not playing every day and didn't have enough opportunities to prove himself.

It only took Spring Training for the Braves to realize that Kelenic was not an everyday player as he struggled heavily against lefties, resulting in a reunion with right-handed bat Adam Duvall. Jarred finished the regular season hitting .231 with 15 home runs and 45 RBI and had his share of defensive blunders. Now... the future of Kelenic and the Braves may be in question. Let's explore three options the Braves have with Kelenic next season.

What should the Braves do with Jarred Kelenic after underwhelming season?

Stay the course

The most realistic option the Braves have with Jarred Kelenic in 2025 is to simply stay the course. Although the Braves anticipated him to be an everyday player. Initially, he was asked to do more than imagined, like attempting to fill the shoes of an injured Ronald Acuna Jr.

Of course, we know about the other injuries Atlanta dealt with this season, including extended absences of All-Stars Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, and Michael Harris II. With these impactful bats not on the field, Kelenic didn't have the luxury of having them as protection in front or behind him in the lineup.

Fingers crossed that the Braves can stay healthy in 2025 and have those superstars around him all season so Kelenic can become what the Braves hoped he would be.

Trade Kelenic

This option is not very likely but given Jarred Kelenic's stats with Seattle and his one season with the Braves, his trade value isn't exactly high right now. However, if Alex Anthopoulos can work his magic, trading Kelenic may be something to consider.

In response to the absurd amount of injuries the Braves faced this season, Jorge Soler was added at the trade deadline. Soler's second stint with Atlanta started rough but he finished the season strong. Soler is signed with the Braves through the 2026 season. This means an outfield of Acuna, Harris II, and Soler is possible.

The only way that Jorge Soler wouldn't be a threat to take the majority of Kelenic's playing time would be if the Atlanta Braves choose not to exercise Marcell Ozuna's club option for 2025 and Soler becomes Atlanta's primary DH. This seems highly unlikely given the incredible season Ozuna has put together. With the Braves having other needs to address, trading Kelenic could be more beneficial than keeping him depending on what the return is.

However, Soler's defense is really poor and Kelenic could stick around as a platoon option or strengthen the Braves bench.

Use Kelenic as bench depth

Jarred Kelenic has at least shown flashes of being able to perform at a high level. Unfortunately, those flashes just don't last very long. With the Braves having better options to play every day, the last remaining option is to have Kelenic as a left-handed bat off the bench.

The biggest flaw in this plan is that Kelenic has already proved he is not very good in this role. The majority of his time with the Seattle Mariners was spent as a secondary option and his numbers were worse than his lone season in a Braves uniform.

Additionally, asking a 25-year-old in his fourth big league season, to become a role player after letting him play the majority of the 162-game regular season could be a big confidence buster. If Kelenic's morale takes a hit after his career thus far, it likely could result in even worse numbers.

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