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Braves dubbed landing spot for top free agent shortstop
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Braves really should be in the market for just about every free agent available that fills a need.

It is not Alex Anthopoulos’ M.O. to get into bidding wars in free agency. The largest contract he’s ever handed out to a free agent was to Marcell Ozuna, a $65 million deal that was signed just before the start of the 2021 season. That’s pennies compared to what most of the top free agents will sign for this winter, but after not spending last year and with some money coming off the books, the Braves have every reason to be very active in free agency.

Adding another impact starter feels like a must, and there are plenty available this offseason, with names like Dylan Cease, Michael King, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Merrill Kelly, and Zac Gallen set to test the market. The Braves also need at least one high leverage reliever, if not multiple.

On the offensive side of things, a DH/outfielder should be considered with Marcell Ozuna hitting free agency. But the real issues lie up the middle in the infield. Ozzie Albies is amid a career-worst season. His future in Atlanta is cloudier than it’s ever been, and the Braves really can’t go into 2026 with Nick Allen as their starting shortstop. Despite being a wizard defensively, his offense just isn’t good enough to be an everyday regular in the lineup.

Given how few high level middle infielders there are on the planet, not many of them become available in free agency, and that’s the case again this offseason. There’s really only one that will test the market, Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays, who Mark Feinsand of MLB.com dubbed the fifth best player in this year’s free agent class, naming Atlanta as a potential landing spot. 

5) Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays (age 28)

After leading the AL in hits in 2021 and ’22 and making his second career All-Star team in 2023, Bichette had a nightmarish 2024, playing in only 81 games — and unproductive ones, at that. This year, Bichette has looked like his old self, once again leading the American League in hits while hitting 16 homers with 82 RBIs and an .805 OPS in 125 games. The shortstop market will be thin this winter, putting Bichette in position to score big in his first foray into free agency.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Braves, Tigers

After a dreadful 2024 campaign, Bo Bichette has bounced back in a big way this season, re-establishing his value by hitting close to .300 with 16 home runs. He’ll be one of the more intriguing free agents on the market this winter, though questions about his defense at shortstop could ultimately dictate how high the bidding goes.

Long-term, Bichette may profile better at second base as he ages — a scenario that could line up nicely for the Braves. He could hold down shortstop for the next couple of seasons, then slide over to second once Ozzie Albies’ contract is up after 2027. By then, the hope is that one of the Braves’ top shortstop prospects will be ready to take over.

As always, it will come down to the price tag, but you can bet Alex Anthopoulos will be checking in on Bo Bichette when the market opens.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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