The Atlanta Braves face a critical offseason ahead as they must address their starting rotation. With Max Fried sidelined, there are several options available to help replace his production, provided the Braves are ready to invest. However, locating a player of Renaldo Lopez’s caliber could prove challenging.
Lopez was acquired early in the free agency period by the Braves and quickly became a valuable asset to the rotation this season. He finished with an impressive 8-5 record, racking up 148 strikeouts and maintaining a remarkable 1.99 ERA. His contributions will be vital as the Braves aim to secure a playoff berth next season.
Finding a player, whether a pitcher or a hitter, who can make an immediate impact like Lopez will be no simple task. Nevertheless, the Braves must act decisively after experiencing an early exit from the postseason. Here are a few potential targets for the Braves this offseason who could provide a similar level of impact as Renaldo Lopez.
3. SP Jack Flaherty
This offseason presents a decent pool of free agent pitchers, highlighted by names like Max Fried and Corbin Burnes. Among these, Jack Flaherty stands out as a promising addition for the Braves. After his trade from Detroit to the Los Angeles Dodgers this past season, Flaherty posted a 6-2 record over 10 starts, amassing 61 strikeouts.
With Clayton Kershaw battling injuries throughout the season and Shohei Ohtani sidelined from showcasing his two-way talent, Flaherty emerged as a strong contributor. The Braves would be wise to pursue one of the top arms in free agency, and Flaherty is an excellent candidate.
2. SS Paul DeJong
While Paul DeJong may not represent a long-term solution, he could serve as a temporary fix for the Braves’ offensive struggles at shortstop this past season. As a cost-effective option, DeJong possesses the potential to inject some much-needed offense into the lineup.
Last season, DeJong outperformed Orlando Arcia slightly, finishing with a .228 batting average compared to Arcia’s .218. Although not the most glamorous acquisition, he could provide a budget-friendly alternative to enhance offensive production.
1. UTIL Kiké Hernandez
As Kiké Hernandez enters the latter stages of his career, this postseason has demonstrated that he still possesses the ability to deliver offensive production, which the Braves urgently require.
In the current season with the Dodgers, Hernandez posted a .227 batting average alongside 12 home runs and 41 RBIs. His versatility is an added bonus; he can effectively cover both outfield and middle infield positions. Should the Braves encounter health concerns with Ronald Acuña Jr. again, Hernandez could serve as a reliable substitute while also stepping in for any other injuries or gaps that may arise.
