MLBTR has Braves as Favorites to Sign These 3 Free Agents

With the free-agent season likely to pick up soon, MLB Trade Rumors gave their predictions for who the Atlanta Braves and other teams will sign.

The Atlanta Braves figure to be pretty busy this offseason on the free agent market. But there is also a lot of uncertainty on how much these players will cost and how much they’ll have to spend.

Either way, I expect Alex Anthopoulos to be very aggressive knowing he has the basis for a team ready to win a World Series.

MLB Trade Rumors gave their anual predictions for where each of the top free agents will sign.

They think the Braves will at least show interest in Trevor Bauer, Marcell Ozuna, Marcus Stroman, and Masahiro Tanaka, but they don’t predict them land any of those top 10 free agents.

In fact, they have Ozuna going to the Nationals for 4 years and $72 million. I can’t wait to see the Twitter reaction if that happens.

The first big free agent they have the Braves signing is the one I’m hoping they actually go after — and that’s Michael Brantley.

I just think he’s everything this Braves lineup need as someone who’s not afraid to work an at-bat, can spray it all over the field, and has some pop. He’s basically a much better Nick Markakis.

They have Brantley signing for 2 years and $28 million, which I’m hoping is a big overestimation. Hopefully the Braves get him for more like 2/$20 or 2/$22.

Justin Turner is mentioned as a possible fit for the Braves, but I threw in my mouth just typing that. Yes, he’s a great hitter and the type of hitter I hope the Braves go after, but I just personally can’t stand him.

Jose Quintana is another starting pitcher that could make some sense. They have him signing for 2/$18 with the Red Sox.

But the veteran starter they have the Braves signing is Jon Lester for one year and $5 million.

I wrote about my feelings on him a few weeks ago here.

And finally, they have the Braves bringing back Mark Melancon for one year and $4 million. If that’s the deal it takes to get him, that would be a steal after the season he had in 2020.

So Brantley, Lester, and Melancon would be the big free agent acquisitions for Atlanta this offseason according to MLBTR. Would that be enough for them to win the World Series next year?