Braves could find long-term outfield fix with slugger at palatable price in free agency

I’ve already done an initial preview on all the available free agents at positions of need for the Braves this offseason. If you haven’t checked those out, I’ll drop the links below, but now it’s time to dive a little deeper into some targets I believe the Braves should have serious interest in, beginning with one of the best outfield sluggers set to test the market, Teoscar Hernandez.

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• Potential Braves Free Agent Targets: Right Field
• Braves Free Agent Targets: Shortstops
• Braves Free Agent Targets: Left Field
• Braves Free Agent Targets: Starting Pitchers

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The Braves are typically never the biggest spenders in free agency, and I don’t expect that to change this offseason. However, payroll is expected to rise, so Alex Anthopoulos does have some room to maneuver, especially if he trades one of Jorge Soler or Marcell Ozuna this offseason to clear their current logjam at DH.

I highly doubt the Braves will be seriously interested in handing Willy Adames $150+ million in free agency. I also don’t see them going big after a starting pitcher, whether it be a rotation piece or a reliever. However, outfield is a significant need, the options are plentiful, and the Braves have some money to spend. This is where they can really look to upgrade the roster.

After a somewhat down year with the Seattle Mariners in 2023, one that saw him still hit 26 homers but record a .740 OPS, the worst mark of his career, Teoscar Hernandez opted to bet on himself, signing a one-year, $23.5 million contract with the Dodgers, and the move is going to pay significant dividends this offseason. Hernandez has been a star in the middle of the Los Angeles lineup, helping them to a 3-1 lead in the NLCS, just one win away from the World Series.

Hernandez clubbed a career-high 33 homers, 32 doubles, slugged over .500, and recorded an .840 OPS this season. He’s proven to be one of the most consistent power bats in baseball over the last half-decade, hitting at least 25 homers every full season dating back to 2019. He’ll undoubtedly get the multi-year contract he was likely looking for last year, but Spotrac’s contract estimation for him remains more than palatable for a slugger of his caliber, putting his market value at three years, $71 million.

For a 32-year-old outfielder in the middle of his prime, that’s far from an absurd estimation. Teoscar Hernandez’s consistency and ability to stay healthy are two things the Braves will place a high value on this offseason. It’s also not an extremely lengthy contract, which mitigates the risk, something the Braves often try to avoid in free agency.

Of course, this is nothing more than a projection. Hernandez is coming off a career year and is a focal point of a Dodgers team on the cusp of a World Series berth. Every general manager is paying close attention to what he can offer their club, which could incite a bidding war. It wouldn’t be shocking if a team came swooping in with a four-year offer worth close to $100 million, which would probably be too rich for the blood of Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves organization.

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Photo: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire

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