ESPN lays out predictions for Ha-Seong Kim, Raisel Iglesias, and Marcell Ozuna

The Braves have three of their own players currently testing free agency, and there’s obvious interest in bringing at least two of them back.

Alex Anthopoulos said at the end of the season that re-signing Ha-Seong Kim would be a priority. Atlanta loved what he brought to the team over the final month, and shortstop has remained a glaring weakness since Dansby Swanson left for Chicago.

According to Francys Romero, the Braves are also expected to show “quick interest” in retaining closer Raisel Iglesias. A return for Marcell Ozuna, however, seems far less likely. Despite a productive five-year run in Atlanta, finding a bat capable of contributing defensively in the outfield should take precedence because of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s injury history and the desire to get Drake Baldwin more consistent playing time.

Over at ESPN, Kiley McDaniel recently shared his contract projections for the Braves’ free agents, and some of them might surprise fans.

Marcell Ozuna: 2 years, $30 million

Ozuna’s health will heavily influence his market. He played through a hip tear this season, which limited his power output, yet still managed 21 home runs and a .756 OPS. If medical evaluations go well, a two-year deal around McDaniel’s estimate seems realistic. He’s only a year removed from back-to-back 39+ homer seasons and was one of the most well-liked players in the Braves’ clubhouse.

Raisel Iglesias: 2 years, $18 million

This is the lowest contract projection I’ve seen for Raisel Iglesias, and if this is all it takes, I expect a deal to get done very quickly between he and the Braves. Iglesias had a really tough start to the season, but he responded down the stretch with a 1.25 ERA over his last 45 appearances. His age — will be 36 by the start of next season — will likely limit him to a two-year deal, but I think the consistency shown over his career warrants more than $9 million AAV.

Ha-Seong Kim: 1 year, $16 million

Another shockingly low projection from McDaniel, who doesn’t see Ha-Seong Kim getting any more than the one-year, $16 million contract he just opted out of with the Braves. I am more on McDaniel’s side in that any projections for Kim suggesting he’s going to get four years, $70 million are nothing short of absurd. However, I do think it’s likely he finds a two-year contract in free agency, especially with no other reasonably priced serviceable shortstops on the market.

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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire

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