Braves free agent target’s contract demands revealed

While the Braves have been quiet this offseason, that is unlikely to continue given the team’s needs in all three areas.

I’d say that the outfield is in desperate need of improvement, with Michael Harris II the sole healthy starter returning by the end of 2024. Perhaps Jarred Kelenic can play every day, but the Braves will still need another starter until Ronald Acuna Jr. returns.

The bullpen is also a focus point, given Joe Jimenez’s injury and AJ Minter’s free agency. The club might benefit from adding another high-leverage reliever. As is customary with the Braves, the rotation might possibly include another arm.

As the winter progresses, there are fewer options for filling those voids, but Atlanta has a free agent who could serve in multiple roles. Perhaps the Braves’ next Reynaldo Lopez is Jeff Hoffman, whose contract demands have been revealed.

According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Hoffman is hoping to land a similar contract to the one Clay Holmes signed with the Mets, which was for three years and $38 million. New York plans to utilize Holmes as a starter, similar to Hoffman.

Prior to joining the Phillies, Hoffman had done virtually nothing in the majors, earning less than 1.0 WAR in his career. Then, over a two-year period, he accumulated 3.5 WAR. During his two seasons with the Braves’ division foe, Hoffman had a 2.28 ERA and 0.944 WHIP in 118.2 innings pitched.

Atlanta could use Hoffman as a starter or out of the bullpen. It’s not technically two birds with one stone, but it raises the floor of his potential contribution:

• Worst-case scenario: the Braves sign Jeff Hoffman to a fair market deal to be a high-end reliever.
• Best-case scenario: the Braves sign Jeff Hoffman to a below-market deal to be a starter.

The Braves haven’t been linked to Hoffman, but they usually aren’t linked to free agents before they strike.