The Atlanta Braves were reportedly interested in signing Milwaukee Brewers free agent shortstop, but they have fallen short, as Adames has agreed to a deal with the San Francisco Giants worth nearly $200 million.
With Adames off the market, the Braves will now need to explore other options to address the shortstop position, especially given Orlando Arcia’s struggles in 2024. While the ideal candidate may not be available, some unconventional options could be worth considering.
One such idea, proposed by FanSided’s Christopher Kline, is for the Braves to pursue Houston Astros free agent Alex Bregman. Though Bregman is expected to sign a four-year deal worth $119 million, reports suggest his final contract could be closer to $200 million. “We should preface this by saying it almost definitely won’t happen, but there’s a strong case for Alex Bregman as a top Braves target,” Kline wrote.
Bregman, a two-time World Series champion with nearly a decade of postseason experience, could be an attractive option for an Atlanta team with championship aspirations, despite the potential high cost of his contract, which may rival or exceed Adames’ $182 million deal.
The main issue with pursuing Alex Bregman is his position. Bregman isn’t a shortstop, although he has reportedly expressed willingness to switch positions if the right opportunity arises. In Atlanta, Bregman could potentially take over at second base, with Ozzie Albies shifting to shortstop.
While the Braves do have a shortstop issue, it’s unclear if it’s worth committing $200 million to Bregman, especially considering he’s already 30 years old. Moreover, teams like the Astros, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets are likely to be more aggressive in their pursuit of Bregman, making it difficult for the Braves to keep up in a bidding war.
