Jim Bowden’s latest free-agent rankings put the Braves in the mix for several names, but the most obvious path for Atlanta still starts at shortstop.
Bowden sees the Braves as a fit for Atlanta shortstop help in either free agency or the trade market, but he makes clear the open-market lane is thin. If the Braves go that route, he says Mauricio Dubon is the only starting-caliber option available. Bowden also says there would likely be interest from Atlanta in bringing Dubon back.
If the Braves decide to swing bigger, Bowden points to several shortstops who could move in trades this winter. He says the Marlins will reportedly listen on Otto Lopez, though it would take “a king’s ransom” to get a deal done. He also names Zach Neto, who is expected to come up often as the Angels begin a full rebuild, along with Corey Seager, who has been linked to the Braves before, and Jeremy Peña.
Bowden’s bottom line is blunt: if Atlanta wants to win a championship next season, landing one of those trade targets is the better play. He adds that Alex Anthopoulos has not made many moves of that sort since taking over as general manager.
Randy Arozarena is another name Bowden connects to Atlanta. He ranked Arozarena fifth among the winter’s free agents and projected a multi-year deal worth more than $100 million. Bowden notes the Braves need to improve in left field, and Arozarena’s numbers make the case obvious: 5.7 WAR, 26 homers and an .865 OPS last season, plus a track record of big October production with 12 postseason home runs and a .946 OPS in 45 games.
Even with that fit, Bowden thinks the price may be too steep. Arozarena will be 32 next season, and Bowden says the Braves usually avoid four- and five-year deals for players in their 30s.
Raisel Iglesias is the simplest case of the group. Bowden lists Atlanta as his best fit and says a reunion is very much in play.
Iglesias remains one of the game’s top closers, and the Braves’ bullpen is already set to lose Didier Fuentes, who is expected to move back to the rotation. Bowden says there should be mutual interest, and if Iglesias can be signed for one year and around $10 million, he thinks it happens.
If the asking price climbs beyond that, he believes Atlanta could turn to younger alternatives.
Bowden’s final Braves-related name is Hiromi Itoh. He says Atlanta has not often ventured into the Japanese market, but that trend may be worth revisiting after the success so many players from there have had in recent years. Itoh does not overpower hitters with velocity, but Bowden describes him as someone who uses a broad mix of pitches and grips to keep batters guessing, while rarely giving away free passes.
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