Braves: 3 free agents to sign and 1 to avoid

Eddie Rosario should go from NLCS hero to Atlanta’s every day outfielder

Of the many trades Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos made at the deadline, it is hard to top the value he got in the deal with the Cleveland Indians for outfielder Eddie Rosario. The Braves got him in the glorified salary dump of Pablo Sandoval. All Rosario did was give the Los Angeles Dodgers nightmares in the 2021 NLCS. On a new deal, he is an every day outfielder for Atlanta.

Of the four outfielders Anthopoulos traded for, Rosario has to be the favorite to return. Joc Pederson is as good as gone with Ronald Acuña Jr. working his way back from a torn ACL. Adam Duvall could return, but he did decline his 2022 option. He is arbitration eligible, so we will see. As for World Series MVP Jorge Soler, having a universal DH will go a long way towards him returning.

What makes re-signing Rosario a total no-brainer is his range in the outfield, his power from the left side of the plate and his ability to hit at multiple spots in the batting order. He will likely play left field if brought back to the Braves. Though he could hit fifth, he may be slotted as high as leadoff in some instances if the Braves are struggling to score runs. He is too valuable to let walk.

Rosario may have other suitors, but it feels like the Braves are viewing him as a major priority.