Contract projections for Braves free agent targets

The Braves’ decision to hire Walt Weiss will grab all the headlines in the immediate future, but whether you agree with the decision to promote from within or preferred an external candidate, none of it will matter if Alex Anthopoulos doesn’t significantly improve the roster this offseason.

That’s going to require ownership to finally open up the checkbook to address the holes on the roster. Because as Baseball America recently made clear with their contract projections for the top 50 free agents in this year’s class, nothing good is going to come cheap.

Contract Projections for Potential Braves Free Agent Targets

Outfielders

• Kyle Tucker — 11 years, $360 million

• Cody Bellinger — 6 years, $175 million

• Trent Grisham — 5 years, $135 million

• Harrison Bader — 2 years, $40 million

• Mike Yastrzemski — 2 years, $26 million

• Max Kepler — 2 years, $24 million

• Cedric Mullins — 1 year, $13 million

If these projections are anywhere near accurate, the Braves will likely go bargain-bin shopping or explore the trade market this winter. Outfield isn’t their most glaring need, and they could even target a designated hitter to replace Marcell Ozuna instead. However, bringing in another bat capable of playing the outfield would be ideal, allowing Ronald Acuña Jr. to take occasional turns at DH and reduce his injury risk. Cedric Mullins stands out as an intriguing buy-low option after a down year.

Shortstops

• Bo Bichette — 8 years, $240 million

• Trevor Story — 4 years, $110 million

• Miguel Rojas — 1 year, $12 million

Oddly enough, Ha-Seong Kim didn’t appear in Baseball America’s top 50 free agent list — an obvious oversight, considering he’s a far better option than Miguel Rojas. As I’ll likely repeat throughout the offseason, it’s shaping up to be Ha-Seong Kim or bust for the Braves at shortstop. But he’s also a candidate to be overpaid, even after an injury-riddled season in which he played only 48 games with average production.

Designated Hitters

• Kyle Schwarber — 3 years, $110 million

• Ryan O’Hearn — 3 years, $45 million

• Marcell Ozuna — 1 year, $20 million

If all it takes to land Kyle Schwarber is a three-year deal, every contender should be calling. But that feels unlikely after a 56-homer season. What also seems unrealistic is a 35-year-old Marcell Ozuna commanding $20 million, even on a one-year pact.

Starting Pitchers

• Framber Valdez — 7 years, $220 million

• Dylan Cease — 5 years, $160 million

• Shane Bieber — 5 years, $150 million

• Michael King — 4 years, $110 million

• Ranger Suárez — 3 years, $75 million

• Brandon Woodruff — 1 year, $27.5 million

• Zac Gallen — 2 years, $45 million

• Jack Flaherty — 3 years, $72 million

• Lucas Giolito — 3 years, $65 million

• Dustin May — 1 year, $15 million

• Chris Bassitt — 2 years, $40 million

• Merrill Kelly — 2 years, $40 million

• Tyler Mahle — 2 years, $28 million

• Zach Little — 3 years, $45 million

The starting pitching market has spiraled out of control in recent years, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. If these projections hold, the Braves probably won’t be in the mix for high-priced arms like Valdez, Cease, or Bieber. Still, several mid-tier names — including Michael King, Ranger Suárez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Woodruff — could fit within the budget.

Relievers

• Edwin Díaz — 6 years, $125 million

• Devin Williams — 4 years, $75 million

• Ryan Helsley — 4 years, $70 million

• Robert Suarez — 3 years, $54 million

• Raisel Iglesias — 3 years, $54 million

• Luke Weaver — 3 years, $45 million

• Kenley Jansen — 1 year, $15 million

• Tyler Rogers — 3 years, $44 million

• Emilio Pagán — 2 years, $32 million

A number of elite closers will hit the market this winter, and the Braves have an obvious need with Raisel Iglesias testing free agency. Baseball America projects Iglesias to receive a three-year, $54 million contract — a figure that would likely price him out of Atlanta’s plans.

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