Full List Atlanta Braves Top Free Agent Targets
This has all the makings of a fun offseason for the Atlanta Braves — the complete opposite of last winter, when Alex Anthopoulos essentially sat on his hands for five months. A disappointing season can light a fire under any front office, and with the Braves having reset the luxury tax, there’s no excuse not […] The post Full List Atlanta Braves Top Free Agent Targets appeared first on SportsTalkATL.com.
This has all the makings of a fun offseason for the Atlanta Braves — the complete opposite of last winter, when Alex Anthopoulos essentially sat on his hands for five months.
A disappointing season can light a fire under any front office, and with the Braves having reset the luxury tax, there’s no excuse not to be aggressive. If they aren’t, an already frustrated fan base has every reason to raise its pitchforks. This team brings in far too much revenue to be pinching pennies.
This series has come to a conclusion, so I thought I would put all of the potential top free agent targets for the Braves this offseason in one place.
- Braves Potential Free Agent Targets: Designated Hitters
- Braves Potential Free Agent Targets: Shortstops
- Braves Potential Free Agent Targets: Starting Pitchers
- Braves Potential Free Agent Targets: Outfielders
- Braves Potential Free Agent Targets: Closers
Braves Potential Free Agent Targets
Diaz will almost surely opt out of his contract looking to land another massive contract in free agency after posting a 1.63 ERA and 13.3 K/9. He’s been one of the best in the game for a long time and is still just 32-years-old, but one would think the Mets would like to have him back, and if they want something bad enough, they typically are willing to go to any length (monetarily) to get it.
Suarez has been named an All-Star in back-to-back seasons, posting a 2.87 ERA with 76 saves over that stretch. He’s not quite the caliber of closer that Diaz has been and will be 35-years-old next season, but that should also make him a much more attainable free agent.
From 2022-2024, Helsley posted a 1.83 ERA over 152 appearances for the Cardinals, but he really struggled in 2025 to the tune of a 4.50 ERA, including a 7.20 mark after he was dealt to the Mets at the trade deadline. That makes his market really difficult to gauge. Some teams might be willing to pay him like he’s an elite closer, while others are much more hesitant after such a dismal end to the season.
Williams is in a similar spot as Helsley. Since he entered the league as a rookie in 2019 through 2024, he posted a 1.83 ERA over 241 appearances, but he did not handle the pressure of the Bronx well this season in a contract year, finishing with a 4.79 ERA. That said, Williams’ underlying metrics still paint the picture of one of the best relievers in baseball. Teams probably shouldn’t be too worried about paying him this offseason.
Raisel Iglesias
Even in a free agent market with a ton of elite relievers, Raisel Iglesias should still hold his own. He posted a 1.25 ERA over his final 45 appearances to end 2025 and owns a 2.35 ERA over 222 appearances with the Braves. Atlanta should seriously consider bringing him back, especially if he’s willing to accept a two-year contract.
Keller picked a helluva time to have a career-year in his first season as a full-time reliever, posting a 2.07 ERA, 0.962 WHIP, and 9.7 K/9 over 68 appearances. He’s a tremendous groundball pitcher and struck out 27.2% of the batters he faced this year. Entering his age-30 season, he’ll be one of the most highly coveted set-up men on the market.
Kyle Tucker is the crown jewel of this year’s free agent class, likely in line for a $300–400 million contract this offseason. He’s accumulated 25.4 WAR over the last five years, including a 4.7 WAR campaign in 2024 despite appearing in just 78 games. Tucker does everything at a high level — hits for average and power, runs the bases well, and plays stellar defense in right field. He’ll almost certainly be out of the Braves’ price range, but it’s fun to dream.
Bellinger seems to pop up as a potential Braves target every offseason, but if they haven’t pulled the trigger yet, it’s tough to see them doing so after his fantastic year in New York. He posted 5.0 WAR with 29 home runs and an .813 OPS. His defensive versatility will only boost his value. That said, his streaky offensive history dating back to 2021 could make some teams hesitant.
No one boosted their value more in 2025 than Bellinger’s teammate, Trent Grisham. Long seen as a fourth outfielder, he erupted for a career-high 34 homers and an .811 OPS. That newfound power, combined with elite defense in center field, will make him a popular name in free agency, but it’s hard to gauge what kind of contract he’ll command this winter.
There’s nothing particularly sexy about Mike Yastrzemski’s game. His offensive production has steadily declined since his standout 2019 debut, but he still offers a bit of pop, above-average offense overall, and quality defense. On a short-term deal, he could be a useful addition to the Braves outfield mix.
Mullins is trending in the opposite direction of Grisham. Not long ago, he was a top-10 finisher in AL MVP voting, posting 6.0 WAR in 2021. Now, after hitting just .216 in 2025, he’s likely looking at a one-year, prove-it contract. Mullins fits the mold of a classic Braves buy-low target, though the lack of guaranteed everyday at-bats in Atlanta might make it a poor match from his perspective.
If the Braves want a cheaper, flexible depth option, Lane Thomas makes some sense. He’s coming off an injury-shortened season, but just two years ago, he hit 28 homers and produced 3.3 WAR. His ability to play all three outfield positions only adds to his appeal.
Bader is fresh off the best offensive season of his career, hitting .277 with a .796 OPS. He’s long been known for his elite defense, and now that his bat has caught up, he should land a multi-year deal. His strong career splits against lefties would give the Braves some flexibility with their outfield and DH platoons.
Valdez might be the best starting pitcher in this year’s free-agent class, boasting a 3.21 ERA and 127 ERA+ (27% above league average) over the last four seasons. He’s also been battle-tested in the postseason, winning a World Series with the Astros in 2022. What perhaps makes him most attractive to the Braves is his durability — something they clearly value, as shown by their pursuit of Aaron Nola a couple of years ago. Valdez hasn’t spent a day on the injured list in four straight seasons, making at least 28 starts every year.
Ranger Suárez might be the most underrated free-agent starting pitcher in this year’s class. Overshadowed by the big names in Philadelphia’s rotation, he doesn’t get nearly enough credit for what he’s done — racking up 17.7 WAR and posting a 129 ERA+ (29% above league average) since 2021. He’s also been lights-out in October, boasting a 1.48 ERA in 42.2 postseason innings.
Dylan Cease is one of the most intriguing names on the market because he might be the most talented arm available. When his stuff is right, he’s nearly unhittable, but the results haven’t always matched the raw ability. Cease is coming off a season in which he posted a 4.55 ERA after recording a 4.58 ERA in 2023. The run prevention hasn’t been elite, but his workload and strikeout numbers are consistently impressive — at least 32 starts in five straight seasons with absurd K rates. Someone will bet big on that combination of durability and upside.
Cease’s teammate, Michael King, has actually been the better pitcher over the last couple of seasons. However, injuries limited him to just 15 starts in 2025, making it difficult to gauge his market value. When healthy, King is a legitimate No. 2 starter, posting a 3.10 ERA over the last two seasons in San Diego after transitioning full-time into the rotation.
Gallen fits the mold of the type of pitcher the Braves typically target — a proven talent coming off an unusual down year who could be open to a short-term, prove-it deal. After back-to-back top-five Cy Young finishes, Gallen posted a 3.65 ERA in 2024 and followed it up with an unsightly 4.83 mark this season. The dip in production could create an opportunity for teams that want to avoid long-term contracts, even if his track record before that is pristine.
Woodruff has quietly been one of the more underrated pitchers in baseball throughout his career, boasting a 3.10 ERA across 745 innings and 18 WAR. Unfortunately, injuries have limited him to just 12 starts over the last two seasons, and he’ll turn 33 next year. That will likely scare teams away from long-term offers, but a two- or three-year deal still feels realistic for a pitcher with his résumé when healthy.
Kelly didn’t finish the 2025 campaign particularly strong after being traded from the Diamondbacks to the Rangers, but his production over the past four seasons — a 3.47 ERA across 107 starts — should still earn him a two-year deal in free agency, even as he enters his age-37 season.
Bassitt is cut from the same cloth as Kelly — an older, steady middle-rotation arm. Since 2018, he’s posted a 3.58 ERA over 1,135 innings, including a 3.96 mark in 170.1 innings this past season. He may not have the flash of some other names on this list, but he brings reliability that contenders always covet.
As things stand, it’s still unclear whether the Braves will even need to explore the shortstop market this offseason. Ha-Seong Kim holds a $16 million player option for next season, but given the thin crop of available shortstops — as you’ll see below — the expectation is that he’ll test free agency. Atlanta has already expressed interest in bringing him back, and despite Scott Boras representing him, there remains a relatively high chance Kim returns to the Braves, who are desperate for stability at the position.
Trevor Story finds himself in a situation similar to Ha-Seong Kim’s. After a strong finish to his 2025 campaign — hitting .294 with 18 homers and an .839 OPS over his final 96 games — he could make a case for opting out. However, at 33 years old and showing signs of defensive decline, it might make more sense for him to take the guaranteed money and remain in Boston. Opting in would secure Story $55 million over the next two seasons, while opting out would mean betting that the open market values him higher. That’s a risky proposition for a player with a lengthy injury history and his best years likely behind him.
Bo Bichette is the crown jewel of this year’s shortstop free agent class, one of the few players left in baseball capable of hitting over .300. There’s nothing to dislike about his offensive game, and at just 28 years old, he’s positioned to land a massive payday this winter. The real intrigue, however, lies in how teams view his defense. There are already legitimate concerns about his ability to stick at shortstop long-term, and that’s not an area that typically improves with age. If the market values him as a true top-tier shortstop, it’s hard to see the Braves being serious contenders in those sweepstakes.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
After the top three, the drop-off is significant. Isiah Kiner-Falefa fits the mold of recent Braves shortstops — reliable with the glove but limited at the plate. He’s never posted an OPS above .700 in his eight-year career and owns a .660 mark overall. If the Braves completely strike out in their search, Kiner-Falefa wouldn’t be the worst fallback option, but it’s certainly not an acquisition that would excite fans.
Jorge Polanco
Jorge Polanco likely boosted his value with a stellar postseason that helped the Mariners come within reach of the World Series. He’s been a reliable hitter since 2019, with his only major concern being durability. Entering his age-32 season, that could deter some teams, but it also means he won’t command an outrageous deal. Polanco can still handle second and third base, giving the Braves a versatile option who could serve as Ozzie Albies insurance if the former All-Star continues to regress.
Starling Marte
There’s a steep drop-off in quality after the top three, but Starling Marte could draw some interest. He doesn’t possess the power typical of a designated hitter, yet his affordability and ability to play the corner outfield make him appealing. With Ronald Acuña Jr.’s recurring injury issues, Marte’s versatility could provide valuable depth.
Marcell Ozuna
Let’s start with one of Atlanta’s own. Marcell Ozuna had some memorable moments in a Braves uniform — most notably his 79 homers between 2023 and 2024 — but also plenty of forgettable ones. Keeping the veteran on a short, one-year deal could make some sense if the team believes he can bounce back after an injury-plagued season. However, the Braves might prefer a player who offers at least some defensive versatility, and Ozuna’s days in the field are long behind him.
Kyle Schwarber
History suggests Kyle Schwarber will be out of the Braves’ price range. Reports indicate he’ll be seeking a five-year deal worth around $150 million, a hefty price for a 33-year-old designated hitter. Still, Schwarber checks every box for contending teams. He’s among the premier power hitters in the game, is universally loved in the clubhouse, and has a track record of postseason heroics. Schwarber has the kind of upside where teams should be willing to reconfigure their roster to fit him into the picture.
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Photo: Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sports
The post Full List Atlanta Braves Top Free Agent Targets appeared first on SportsTalkATL.com.
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