Atlanta's nightmare 2024 season finally came to a close and it's time for the Braves to prepare for a busy offseason. There are a plethora of free agents that the team will need to decide to bring back or let walk.
Max Fried is the biggest potential free agency loss the Braves could have if they can't find a way to bring him back. However, there are a few key Atlanta players that have options available to return.
Alex Anthopoulos spoke about this during his end-of-the-season press conference on Friday and it appears he already knows which players he'd like to return.
Braves expected to pick up options on three key contributors for 2025
The Braves have option decisions to make for Marcell Ozuna, Travis d'Arnaud, and Aaron Bummer. Each player provided the team with meaningful at-bats and innings during the 2024 season.
Marcell Ozuna
Atlanta's GM stated that the team expects to pick up all three options ahead of next season. There is a great case for all three returning next season and Marcell Ozuna is probably the easiest decision. Ozuna finished another incredible season as he batted .302 with 183 hits including 31 doubles, 39 home runs, and 104 RBI. He also posted a 154 OPS+, the second-highest OPS+ of his career (he posted a 177 OPS+ in 2020).
His five years in Atlanta have been impressive and it's a no-brainer to bring him back next season. Ozuna has a .273 average with 551 hits including 99 doubles, 127 homers, and 342 RBI during that span. His option is valued at $16 million for 2025.
Travis d'Arnaud
The Braves have a great clubhouse leader in Travis d'Arnaud and there's no reason to believe they won't return him next season. He is great behind the plate when it comes to game calling but his defense obviously lacks a bit. However, he showed up in big moments offensively throughout the season.
Travis would be owed $8 million next season if he returned to the club. With how awfully Sean Murphy's season went, it makes sense to keep TDA on board in case that happens again. He's also just beloved by fans and players alike so it's an easy decision.
"This one right here was probably the most challenging year I have ever been through."
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) October 4, 2024
Brian Snitker comments on the 2024 season. pic.twitter.com/LYpzyc5IHp
Aaron Bummer
One of Atlanta's biggest offseason acquisitions from 2024, Aaron Bummer was expected to be a great bullpen arm for the Braves and he was just that. He wasn't always utilized properly by Brian Snitker but when he was needed, Bummer did a good job.
He finished the season with a 3.58 ERA including 18 walks and 69 strikeouts. His 2.23 FIP indicates he pitched much better than his ERA suggests. The metrics back up Bummer's performance as well with a 28.3% K rate, a barrel percentage of 1.3%, a hard-hit rate of 32.9%, and an incredible 61.3% ground ball rate.
With a $7.25 million club option and AJ Minter reaching free agency, there's no reason for the Braves shouldn't return Aaron Bummer in 2025. He just needs to be trusted in high-leverage moments more often and hopefully, Snit gives him that chance.