5 potential free agent suitors for George Springer

1. Atlanta Braves

The Braves got over a hump in 2020, reaching the NLCS for the first time since 2001 and taking the Los Angeles Dodgers all the way to seven games. But their outfield situation for 2021 is in flux, with Marcell Ozuna and Nick Markakis headed for free agency. Ender Inciarte is coming off a rough season (.190/.262/.250 slash-line), but with two years and $15 million in base salary left on his contract it would be difficult to trade him.

However, the Braves currently sit with less than $93 million in projected payroll for 2021. Only two players (first baseman Freddie Freeman and reliever Will Smith) are the only players slated to make more than $10 million next year. Inciarte comes in as the third-highest paid player, with $8.7 million in salary and signing bonus due to him next year. That would make him an expensive fourth outfielder if an addition is made (or Ozuna is re-signed). But the Braves could do it if a run at Springer is on their radar as an all-around upgrade over Ozuna.

Even with some level of payroll concerns for all 30 teams in baseball going forward, the Braves are in good position to make a splash or two if they want to. The end of a long deal for Springer might not look great in terms of his own production, but Atlanta is lined up to be a contender for years and that should appeal to him as he surveys his market.