Braves: 3 free agents to sign and 1 to avoid

Robbie Ray is coming off a career year, so don’t be dumb and hold the bag

While adding a left-handed starter like Alex Wood is a good idea, the Braves should not overspend on a southpaw like Robbie Ray coming off a career year. Yes, he was good at times when he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but it is hard to see him replicating what he did with the Toronto Blue Jays last year in another uniform. He is a prime candidate to re-up with the Blue Jays anyway.

Ray may have led the American League in a myriad of statistical categories, but he was a train wreck on the mound prior to being dealt over from the Diamondbacks in 2020. While it is understood that the Diamondbacks are essentially a Triple-A team, one should expect a regression to the mean for Ray in 2022 after coming off his best year as a professional. It will likely happen.

Because he was among the best pitchers in the American League a season ago, he will be overvalued entering his free agency. Atlanta may have won the World Series, but do not expect the front office to pay a premium for a pitcher coming off a career year. Keep in mind that they already have on-the-rise frontline starters in Max Fried and Ian Anderson. They only need a fourth-starter.

For a team that does not have many bad contracts, the Braves can avoid one by not signing Ray.