Filling the left field gap in the Atlanta Braves roster

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Rosario was great in the 2021 postseason, but the Atlanta Braves caught lightning in a bottle with their patchwork outfield, and that kind of success is fleeting. Eddie's always been a streaky player, but over the last two seasons, his inconsistencies have worsened,

Fangraphs gives Rosario 1.4 fWAR for the season, while Baseball-Reference says his season was worth only 1.1 rWAR. He batted .255/.305/.450.755 with a .322 BAbip, 21 homers, and a league-average 100 wRC+ on the season, but his splits were worse.

No one expected Rosario to hit LHP well, and the Braves limited his exposure to 67 PA (60 AB) against same-sided pitchers. But his .233/.303/.400/.703 line against lefties was better than his .229/.294/.372/.666 line away from Truist Park.

With Rosario gone, Pillar a free agent, and the Atlanta Braves farm system devoid of a realistic replacement, the club can either sign a free agent or trade for a controllable left fielder.

Available Free Agent Options

The list of free-agent outfielders isn’t deep or young, and with age comes an increased risk of injury. Michael Brantley plays at 37, Tommy Pham and David Peralta are 36, Adam Duvall plays at 35, Jason Heyward at 34, and Hunter Renfroe at 32. Teoscar Hernandez is 31, but I expect him to receive a qualifying offer from Seattle.

I wrote yesterday that the Braves are unlikely to sign a free agent with a QO because the signing would cost them $1M of international signing pool money and the club’s second and fifth draft pick.

I’ve already seen calls for Duvall’s return, but he hasn’t played 100 games since 2001 and now looks like a fourth outfielder. The best free agent option is Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

The Case for Lourdes Gurriel

Gurriel is 30 and won’t receive a qualifying offer because his original contract with Toronto had a clause saying that the club waived the right to make one. He was also the best defensive left fielder in the league, finishing the season with 14 DRS and 9.5 UZR.

So, Gurriel is the best defensive left fielder available, batted.301/.363/.452/.815 with a .151 ISO, .352 wOBA and 121 wRC+ against lefties, .247/.289/.467/.756 with a .220 ISO, .321 wOBA and 100 wRC+ against RHP. Fangraphs give Gurriel Jr. 2.1 fWAR on the season, while BBR says his season was worth 3.0 rWAR.

Gurriel isn’t the best outfielder in the league, but he is the best defensive left fielder available, isn’t an automatic platoon player, and didn’t vanish in postseason play.
Mark Feinsand ranked Gurriel Jr. 14th in his list of top 25 free agents, saying:

Gurriel ranked in the top quarter of the league in hard-hit percentage and strikeout percentage, while his defensive metrics were solid.

I expect Gurriel to ask for four and take three with an option at $39M. At that price, the Atlanta Braves will have competition for his services; much will depend on where he wants to play.

I’d prefer to make a trade and have two candidates in mind: Randy Arozarena.

The Atlanta Braves should fill their left field void with Randy Arozarena . / Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves + Randy Arozarena

Arozarena burst onto the scene during the 2020 postseason tournament by helping the Rays beat Toronto, the Yankees, and the Astros, hitting 10 home runs in 18 games, and being named ALCS MVP.

In his first three full Major League seasons, Arozarena batted .264/.349/.443/.792 with a 124 OPS+ and averaged 21 homers a year. Baseball-Reference says those seasons were worth 10.2 rWAR, while Fangraphs gives him 9.8 fWAR and values his offense at .344 wOBA and 126 wRC+.

Arozarena plays at 29 next year, has three years of team control remaining, and MLBTR projects a 2024 salary of $9M. So, why would the Rays trade him? They could easily fit him into their payroll this year, but his contract will likely jump to $13M next year, and if he continues to perform as he has, somewhere near $18.5 in 2026, a sum well above the Rays comfort zone.

The Rays gave Tyler Glasnow a contract worth $25M to lead their staff this year, but their pitching staff was hit hard by injuries in the second half of last season. I’ve seen speculation that they’ll trade Glasnow, but I doubt that happens because they’re so short-handed.

A deal built around Bryce Elder could bring Arozarena to Atlanta; something like Elder, Drake Baldwin, and Ian Anderson in exchange for Arozarena, Carlos Colmenarez, and Jose Urbina could work.

I understand that trading Elder adds another vacancy in the rotation; I’ll address that after discussing option two, Anthony Santander.

Logjam at Camden Yards?

The Orioles have an outfield logjam. Anthony Santander returns to man left, Cedric Mullins will patrol center, and Hays covering right, with Heston Kjerstad, Colton Cowser, and Kyle Stowers knocking on the door.

According to Fangraphs, Santander was the third-best hitting outfielder (by fWAR 4.6), but he’s not a great defender. Most expect he’s the player the Orioles move if they decide to give one of the rookies a shot. Aside from his $12.7M being their most expensive arbitration contract this winter, this is his walk year. This means the club must decide if they’ll trade him, extend him, or wait until the deadline when teams are willing to give them more for a short-term rental.

If the Atlanta Braves are okay with a one-year rental and the chance to extend him or get a QO, Santander may fit their needs. His cost in players won’t reach the same level as Arozarena. A deal built around Ian Anderson or Dylan Dodd, plus a couple of warm bodies, might get it done.

The Atlanta Braves should sign left Eduardo Rodriguez. / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

What About The Rotation?

The Santander deal doesn’t significantly affect the rotation, and I think Darius Vines will turn out as good or better than Elder. Saying that, Eduardo Rodriguez looks like a viable signing for the Braves.

In an interview after the deadline this year, GM Alex Anthopoulos said that they had a call with five minutes left before the deadline about a pitcher they’d discussed, but the teams didn’t have time to finalize that deal. I believe the pitcher in that deal was Rodriguez.

The Braves met all of his requirements: an East Coast team in the pennant race. He pitches at 31 next year and will get something around four years and $72M, which isn’t unreasonable for what he brings to the table. If Elder is still around, he slides down to the fourth spot, with Vines and others vying for the remaining slot. If Elder’s gone, there are other trade pieces to consider, but that’s a conversation for another day.

That’s a Wrap

I’d like to see Arozarena in left field for Atlanta because he fits best. He’s a good teammate, with enough swag to be fun to watch without becoming obnoxious, and most of all, because he loves it when the lights get brightest.

Trading Elder doesn’t bother me. I’m sure he overachieved most of the season, and what we saw at the end is who he is. At his best, he’s a fifth starter on a good team, and I think the Braves can do better.

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