Potential free agent targets for the Atlanta Braves that aren’t on the roster on Friday.
Despite having varied degrees of success, he has demonstrated remarkable defensive versatility by playing all three outfield spots, second base, and third base throughout his stint with the Reds.
With just 33 home runs in 377 major league games, his power stroke hasn’t quite been as consistent as Cincinnati had hoped (and that may be something Atlanta is specifically looking for). However, with the trades of minor league utility man Braden Shew make and utility man Nicky Lopez to the White Sox, as well as Luke Williams’ non-tender on Friday night, Atlanta may find value in his defensive versatility.
Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Spencer Turnbull is an SP.
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Turnbull is entering free agency at a difficult moment in his career; after missing the 2022 campaign due to Tommy John surgery, he struggled in his seven 2023 outings, compiling an ERA of 7.26.However, in the 20 games played prior to his injury, which included portions of 2020 and 2021, he allowed just four home runs in 106.2 innings pitched with a 3.46 ERA, 95 strikeouts, and 41 walks.
Turnbull is one of the non-tendered players who isn’t flawless; in 2023, he missed several months due to a neck ailment. He has demonstrated, however, that, if healthyโa thorough medical examination must be a part of any pre-signing physicalโhe can be a productive back-end starter with his fastball, slider, and changeup combo.In 2021, in a memorable 117-pitch outing in mid-May, Turnbull pitched a no-hitter against the Mariners, striking out nine and walking two.
(As an aside, he attended the University of Alabama after growing up in Madison, Mississippi. Players that are Southern-born tend to perform better in Atlanta.)
Prior to joining the Toronto Blue Jays, RP Adam Cimber.
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A potential cause for concern in this situation could be Cimber’s comparatively low average velocity of 85 mph for his four-seam fastball and slider combo, which is delivered with a pretty quirky submarine delivery. They are supported by a 75 mph slider, but because of the strange angle and movement, he only permits a 6.9% barrel rate, which prevents runs from being scored.
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After playing just 42 games in the previous two seasons, Meadowsโa former first-round pick out of Loganville, Georgiaโwas declared non-tendered by the Pirates in the 2013 MLB Draft because of mental health concerns that prevented him from playing baseball.
Before moving to Detroit, though, he was a fantastic player for the Tampa Bay Rays, finishing 20th in 2021 and 14th (while also being an All-Star) in 2019. He has received two down-ballot MVP votes.
In his final full season (2021), Meadows, who can play all three outfield positions but primarily runs in the corners, displayed poor left field defense but a ton of pull-side power that would fit in nicely with Truist Park’s Chop House beyond the right field wall.
SP Brandon Woodruff, formerly of the Brewers
Do you recall that the majority of non-tendered players had flaws? This is the largest of them all.Since making his Milwaukee debut in 2017, Woodruff has established himself as one of the top #2 pitchers, with 130 appearances overall and 115 starts, all while posting a 3.10 ERA and 46-26 record. Throughout his career, he has walked just 2.3 batters per nine innings, struck out 10.4 batters, and has a 1.045 WHIP.
Before a shoulder injury terminated his 2023 season and forced surgery that will prevent him from playing in 2024, he was on course to have one of his greatest seasons ever in 2023 (5-1 & 2.28 ERA in 11 starts, including a complete game shutout).
At best, Woodruff might return for a few rehab starts at the very end of the 2024 campaign, but a multi-year contract with a significantly higher 2025 pay and likely a player opt-out at some point after 2025 or 2026 is a possibility.
If Atlanta were to accomplish that, he could give some 2025 insurance to a rotation that is currently dealing with the departure of Kyle Wright (traded to Kansas City) and maybe both Max Fried (free agency) and Charlie Morton (retirement), assuming he stays healthy (which isn’t a given with shoulder injuries).
No clear-cut shoo-ins has been signed.
While none of these players are obviously good additions for 2024, they do provide a little more depth to a free agent class that is strong at the top but deficient overall in depth and position player possibilities.