The Atlanta Braves were reportedly very interested in signing Milwaukee Brewers free agent shortstop Willy Adames, but they have fallen short in their pursuit. Adames has agreed to a nearly $200 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. As a result, the Braves will need to focus on other infield options to fill the shortstop position, especially given Orlando Arcia’s struggles in 2024. While there may not be a perfect candidate available, the Braves consider unconventional choices. FanSided’s Christopher Kline recently suggested that Atlanta target Houston Astros free agent Alex Bregman. Bregman is expected to secure a four-year, $119 million deal, though reports indicate it could rise closer to $200 million.
“We should preface this by saying it almost definitely won’t happen, but there’s a strong case for Alex Bregman as a top Braves target,” Kline wrote. “His price tag could match or exceed Adames’ $182 million, so tread carefully, but Bregman is a two-time Word Series champ with almost a decade of postseason experience under his belt. For an Atlanta team looking to reach the mountaintop, that ought to be appealing.”
The main issue here is the positional fit. Bregman is not a shortstop, though he has reportedly expressed a willingness to change positions if the right opportunity arises. In Atlanta, Bregman could move to second base, allowing Ozzie Albies to shift to shortstop. While the Braves do have a need at shortstop, committing $200 million to a 30-year-old Bregman might not be the best move. I anticipate that teams like the Astros, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets will be too aggressive in pursuing Bregman for the Braves to compete effectively.
Leave a Reply