Braves Explore Market for Outfield Depth, Prefer Left-Handed Bat

The Atlanta Braves are actively seeking outfield help after non-tendering Ramon Laureano, with a preference for a left-handed bat, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Focus on Depth, Not Big Names
Atlanta doesn't appear to be targeting top-tier free agents, such as Juan Soto, who remains a speculative dark horse. Veterans like Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernandez, Jurickson Profar, and Tyler O’Neill are expected to demand notable multi-year contracts, which the Braves may not pursue. Instead, they're looking for depth to cover the early season, especially if Ronald Acuna Jr. starts on the injured list, as suggested by president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos during the GM Meetings.

Current Outfield Scenario
Without Acuna, the Braves’ outfield lineup would feature Jarred Kelenic, Michael Harris II, and a mix of Eli White, Luke Williams, and recently signed Carlos D. Rodriguez. While some might think Laureano could fill this gap, his impressive stint with the Braves was supported by an unusually high .380 BABIP, alongside a concerning 3.5% walk rate and 28.3% strikeout rate. These numbers hint at potential regression, as his previous performance in 2022-23 was much lower.

Anthopoulos' Strategy
So far, most of Atlanta's moves in free agency and trades have been modest. Anthopoulos typically avoids long-term deals, preferring trades and relying on in-house development. Under his leadership, Atlanta has awarded only three free-agent contracts longer than two years: to Will Smith, Reynaldo Lopez, and Marcell Ozuna. While not ruling out a bigger deal, it's historically unlikely.

Available Options
Fortunately, there is a deep pool of inexpensive left-handed hitters available this offseason. Potential targets include Max Kepler, Michael Conforto, Alex Verdugo, Jesse Winker, David Peralta, Mike Tauchman, and switch-hitting Dylan Carlson. Kepler and Conforto, in particular, might need multi-year deals, but the trade and waiver markets also offer opportunities.

​Anthopoulos has indicated that he expects payroll to rise in 2025. The Braves spent about $232 million last year and have a projected $202 million payroll for 2025, leaving room for some additions despite a crowded luxury-tax ledger.