Atlanta Braves fans have been eagerly waiting for the team to make a big splash in the free agent market this offseason, but so far, the biggest move has been the lack of one.
Max Fried‘s departure to the Yankees on an 8-year deal leaves fans wondering why Atlanta hasn’t been more aggressive. One reason could be the influx of promising prospects expected to make an impact in 2025. While it’s a bit of a gamble, the Braves’ track record of developing young talent makes this approach feel less risky.
Catcher Drake Baldwin, though not in the MLB Top 100, impressed with a strong performance at AAA last season, posting a .298/.407/.484 line for the Gwinnett Stripers. Despite interest from other teams, Atlanta appears content to hold onto him, with Baldwin possibly playing a significant role in the 2025 lineup.
In addition to Baldwin, top 100 prospects Nacho Alvarez and Hurston Waldrep could also make their way onto the roster in 2025. Both had brief stints with the major league team in 2024, though neither had enough time to fully showcase their potential.
While Braves fans might be hoping for a splashier offseason, the team’s confidence in its homegrown talent could explain the current quiet period as they focus on a potential bounce-back year in 2025.
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