The Braves want at least one starting outfielder, and one prospective free agent target is no longer available, as Jeff Passan reports that the Phillies have signed Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million free agent contract.
For the first time in his career, Kepler joins another club after 10 years with the Twins, accruing 20.7 WAR with a .746 OPS.
Kepler was limited to a career-low eight home runs while posting a middling .253/.302/.380 this past season, playing just 105 games due to injuries. However, prior to that, he mashed 24 homers over 130 games, finishing with an .816 OPS in 2023.
The Phillies are hoping that a healthy offseason would allow Max Kepler to recover, and I believe there’s a fair likelihood of that. The Braves, however, are still in need of a starting-caliber outfielder.
According to Chase, Kepler is one of four under-the-radar free agents who could be of interest to the Braves. The other three were Alex Verdugo, Kiké Hernandez, and Randal Grichuk, all of whom fit the bill as tiers below top free agents like Teoscar Hernandez and Anthony Santander. The trade market might potentially help the Braves fill voids in their outfield.
“Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. is owed $15 million this year, with two $20 million club options after that, and he is widely expected to be traded, either this winter or at the July trade deadline.
“For teams looking for an outfield bat, the Mets’ Starling Marte, Cleveland’s Lane Thomas, San Francisco’s Mike Yastrzemski, and the Los Angeles Angels’ Taylor Ward are available,” wrote Jeff Passan recently.
There are still plenty of options for Alex Anthopoulos.
