Atlanta Braves: Two Potential 2021 Free Agent Targets – Simba and Tanaka?

A look at a couple of potential free-agent targets for the Atlanta Braves in 2021.

The Atlanta Braves could have some holes to fill in 2021. There are a lot of “what-ifs” in this scenario. I’m going to keep the list short, to two players. With Markakis likely departing in 2021 and two studs coming up through the farm system, I’ll pass on the possibility of signing Mookie Betts.

While I’d love to see Betts on the Braves, he’s got a chance to set yet another free agent contract record – even after those of this offseason.  We’ll let other clubs play with those numbers.

Shortstop

Dansby Swanson has been streaky, in part due to injuries and partly due to periods of ineffectiveness. We are all rooting for him and he plays good defense at short. He was on pace for an MVP season in the first half of 2019 with 17 homers and a .270/.330/.493 slash line. In the second half, injuries struck again and Swanson only played in 38 games. In those 38 games, he slashed .204/.315/.254 with zero homers.

For his career, Dansby has an OPS+ of 84, remember in that formula 100 = average. If things don’t turn around for him in 2020, the Braves might be open to an old friend who will be a free agent next off-season.

Andrelton Simmons 

Simmons hasn’t been a whole lot better with the bat than Swanson. He has a career OPS+ of 91, but he’s been over 100 two out of the past three seasons. In eight seasons, Simmons has an absolutely insane 198 defensive runs saved. If you watched the Braves between ’12-’15, I don’t need to explain the magic that was Andrelton Simmons at short.

Simmons has a career defensive WAR of 27.3. Swanson has a career defensive WAR of 2.0 after four seasons.

He could make for a perfect fit at 31-years-old, giving the Braves a few years to prepare for his departure.

Pitcher

The Braves have plenty of young prospects in their rich farm system, but those aren’t locks. Ian Anderson, Bryse Wilson, Kyle Wright, and company all have a chance at breaking through.

Nonetheless, the Braves will lose Cole Hamels following this season. Foltynewicz will either bounce back or get bounced. You also never know if a devastating injury will strike or who will fail to meet expectations.

With Hamels leaving, there’s always a possibility the Braves will be back in the market for a veteran pitcher they can depend on. So we take a look at likely free-agent targets for the Braves at pitcher in 2021.

Masahiro Tanaka

Masahiro Tanaka is a veteran pitcher that will be a free agent in 2021. Tanaka is one of my favorite pitchers to watch, personally. Tanaka’s balance and control, his beautiful splitter, I love the guy. If we need a new veteran to replace the departing Hamels, Tanaka would look good in a Braves uniform.

Tanaka has a career 3.75 ERA in six years competing in the AL East. Tanaka will only be 32 years old in 2021. He has a career 1.13 WHIP and has walked less than two batters per nine innings (1.8) over his career. He’s a stabilizing force for a rotation in need of a veteran.

What do you think the Braves will be looking for in the 2021 free-agent class?