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Braves: 4 best DH free agent options for Atlanta to sign

By Tim Boyle

Aug 28, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Kyle Schwarber (18) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Kyle Schwarber (18) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Braves DH
Sep 25, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos (2) reacts after hitting a walk-off home run to win the game against the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

Braves DH target: Nick Castellanos

Nick Castellanos can play the field but not very well. It has been the biggest negative of his entire career. Whether it was third base or one of the corner outfield spots, Castellanos’ weakness has been his glove game.

For this reason, Castellanos may be destined to see a lot more time as a DH. He’s coming off of his first All-Star season and a pretty powerful one, too. He smacked a career-high 34 home runs for the Cincinnati Reds while boasting a .309/.362/.576 slash line. His market just got bigger and if he’s someone the Braves have any interest in, they better not wait once the lockout ends.

Signing Castellanos to be the DH would be a bold move by the Braves and give them one more corner outfield option with pop. The Braves ended up having to go out and add several outfielders into the mix last year. Having Castellanos around, even for the purpose of doing nothing more than hitting, can give them that built-in depth ahead of time.

What the Braves do at the DH spot will likely have a lot to do with Freeman’s future. Because they may need to react quickly, signing a bat like Castellanos could prevent them from getting stuck with far less offense in the coming year even if he isn’t the greatest fit for what they need.

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