Atlanta Braves: 2 Potential Free Agent Upgrades Over Eddie Rosario in 2024

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This offseason the Atlanta Braves and Alex Anthopoulos will have a few decisions to make that will impact the everyday lineup. Since most of the core is locked up to long-term deals, there won't be too many big decisions. Acuna, Albies, Olson, Murphy, Riley, and Harris II are all locked up to long-term deals. Even Orlando Arcia has two years on his contract after the 2023 season.

One place our eye is drawn to is leftfield. Eddie Rosario has a $9 million club option that will likely be exercised. $9,000,0000 for a player like Rosario is a good deal. However, if AA decides he wants to attempt to upgrade in LF, there will be a few big names on the free-agent market.

Eddie has brought a lot of positives to the Braves. He has the clutch gene, he won the 2021 NLCS MVP by smashing three homers in the six-game set and posting a 1.647 OPS. He has slugged the ball well this season. He currently has 20 homers and 20 doubles with a .489 SLG. During his entire tenure with the Braves, Rosario's slugging percentage is .444.

His OBP as a Braves is under-.300 at .296.

While his defense can get ridiculed for a few memorably bad plays, he has zero defensive runs saved in left this year, which is exactly league-average. He also ranks in the 70th percentile in outs above average, which measures his ability to get to balls compared to other outfielders.

We love Eddie, but there are some intriguing free agents out there who will get on base way better than a .296 clip that could be in the same price range. Let's take a look.

2. Atlanta Braves FA Replacement for Rosario: Tommy Pham

Arizona Diamondbacks v San Diego Padres / Orlando Ramirez/GettyImages

Tommy Pham is cheaper than Rosario, Pham signed a one-year $6,000,000 deal with the Mets this offseason. Pham has a better on-base percentage without sacrificing much power. For his career, Pham has a .352 OBP over 10 seasons. Despite a 10-point lower career batting average, Pham's OBP is 46 points higher than Rosario's .306 career OBP over nine seasons.

Even at age 35, Pham posted +1 DRS in LF in 61 games this year. He still poses a speed threat with 15 steals in 97 games this season. His career slugging percentage is only .439 compared to Rosario's .465 but Pham is slugging .472 this season. Conversely, Rosario's slugging percentage across all his time with the Braves is just .444.

Their approaches at the plate are polar opposites. Eddie Rosario has exceeded 30 walks in a season just twice. Over nine years he has accumulated just 203 walks. Pham has more than doubled that despite playing in fewer career games. Rosario swings at everything and is in the second percentile in chase rate. Pham has a patient approach and his chase rate is in the 91st percentile.

1. Atlanta Braves FA Replacement for Rosario: Jorge Soler

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Jorge Soler came to the Braves in the 2021 deadline as a part of the group of acquisitions that led the Braves to the World Series. He and Eddie Rosario were both a part of that ride, what a ride it was. Rosario captured the NLCS MVP and Soler took the World Series MVP.

Soler is working on a $15 million player option that he exercised this past offseason. Heading into 2024 his option is only worth $9 million. Considering the season he is having, it's unlikely that he will exercise that option. Soler will cost more than Rosario's $9,000,000 club option, but would he be worth it?

Soler has mostly played as a DH this year but he's no stranger to the outfield. Even when he was with the Royals in the AL and DH was an option, he spent the majority of his time playing the field. Granted, his defense will be a downgrade from Rosario's but will the bat be enough to make up for it?

In 2022, back issues limited Soler to just 72 games and affected his production when he played. This season, he has bounced back in a big way. Soler is slashing .238/.327/.503 for the year with 33 home runs and 20 doubles. He has 56 walks through 121 games, which is more than 25% of the walks Rosario has accumulated throughout his nine-year career.

As much as we love Rosario, this lineup would look even more terrifying with Soler inserted into it. The question is, how big is the hit on defense and is it worth it? Let us know on social media what you think. Should the Braves pick up the $9 million option on Rosario or go for one of these free agents? Is there another player you'd rather the Braves sign?

2. Atlanta Braves FA Replacement for Rosario: Tommy Pham

1. Atlanta Braves FA Replacement for Rosario: Jorge Soler

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