The Braves are still sorting through a busy offseason, but one of the latest moves gives them a little more flexibility as they try to patch together the infield.
Atlanta signed utility man Vidal Bruján to a minor league deal on Saturday, adding a player who can cover several spots and give the club another option while it works through its shortstop situation. Bruján, 28, spent part of the 2025 season with the Braves and returns after a brief stint with the rival New York Mets, where he appeared in nine games last season.
“The Atlanta Braves have brought utilityman Vidal Bruján back to the organization, signing him to a minor league deal according to the team’s transaction page. Bruján, 28, spent part of the 2025 season with Atlanta. The move gives the organization depth across multiple positions as Bruján has big league experience at second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions,” Battery Power’s DJourn wrote.
That kind of versatility matters for a team that still has work to do. The Braves are back in the market for a shortstop, and last season’s primary options, Mauricio Dubón and Ha-Seong Kim, are both free agents. MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco pointed to the position as Atlanta’s biggest need.
“The Braves have the most glaring shortstop need in MLB. Mauricio Dubón and Ha-Seong Kim are impending free agents, leaving Jim Jarvis as the top in-house option. There’s a decent chance they’ll re-sign Dubón on a two-year deal, but he’s ideally suited as a super-utility player,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco wrote.
Bruján could fit into that picture as a bench piece, and if Dubón does not return, he may even get a chance to compete for a larger role. For now, he heads into Spring Training with a shot at the roster and a path that runs through his ability to move all over the diamond.
The Braves also locked in two major pieces over the weekend, exercising the team options on Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies for the 2027 season.
“The Braves today exercised options for OF Ronald Acuña Jr. and INF Ozzie Albies for the 2027 season,” the Braves posted.
With those decisions made, the attention shifts back to the spots Atlanta still needs to fill. Bruján’s signing doesn’t solve the shortstop problem on its own, but it does give the Braves another experienced glove to work with as the offseason keeps moving.
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