JUST IN: Atlanta Braves Officially Agree Terms to Signs Top Rising Dominican Shortstop in a Blockbuster Deal..
For the third consecutive offseason, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos faces a crucial decision at shortstop. Two years ago, he opted not to re-sign Dansby Swanson, who was coming off a career-best season and later inked a $177 million deal with the Cubs.
At the time, many saw that contract as an overpay—and hindsight confirms it. Swanson never displayed the consistency needed to justify such a massive investment. Moving on from him proved smart, and for a while, the decision to replace him with Orlando Arcia looked brilliant. Earning just a fraction of Swanson’s salary, Arcia had a breakout season, culminating in his first All-Star appearance.
However, Arcia’s strong start didn’t last. The second half of the season exposed his limitations, and his 2024 performance has been more in line with his career trajectory: a reliable fielder but a subpar hitter, best suited as a backup. With shortstop being a clear area for improvement, the Braves are expected to be active this offseason, though free-agent options are limited.
One player set to attract widespread interest is Willy Adames. The 29-year-old just wrapped up a stellar season with the Brewers, belting a career-high 32 home runs and posting a .794 OPS while helping Milwaukee secure the NL Central title.
But signing Adames won’t come cheap. With multiple teams likely competing for his services, he could command a contract even larger than Swanson’s. Historically, Anthopoulos has avoided high-stakes bidding wars, but Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller predicts that might change, suggesting the Braves will make a serious play to address their shortstop dilemma.
Arcia, despite his early-season success, struggled after returning from a wrist injury in 2023, hitting just .341 through his first 54 games but slumping to a .652 OPS for the rest of the season. This year’s .625 OPS further highlights his offensive inconsistency. Though the Braves are expected to keep him as a versatile backup on a budget-friendly two-year, $4 million deal, they seem poised to pursue Adames aggressively.
However, Atlanta won’t be alone in the race. The Dodgers are expected to show interest, and the Blue Jays might join in if they’re preparing for Bo Bichette’s potential departure after next season. Adames could end up with one of the more lucrative non-Juan Soto contracts in this free-agent cycle.
Anthopoulos has already hinted at an increased payroll for the Braves, but whether they are willing to spend $150-200 million on Adames remains uncertain. Recent mega-contracts for shortstops have yielded mixed results. Swanson has fallen short of expectations in Chicago, Xander Bogaerts has struggled in San Diego, Carlos Correa has faced injuries, and even Trea Turner, the most productive of the group, hasn’t quite justified his $300 million price tag with the Phillies.
While Adames could still have his best years ahead, the Braves might be wary of committing to a massive contract—especially given how recent deals for top-tier shortstops have played out.
