The Atlanta Braves may be witnessing their worst nightmare unfold before them. Juan Soto, the top free agent of the winter and a superstar for the New York Yankees, is expected to have six major suitors this offseason. Two of these teams are in the National League East alongside the Braves.
If Soto joins either the New York Mets or Philadelphia Phillies, the Braves won’t be able to stay complacent with their current roster. They will need to make significant offseason changes to remain competitive with Soto.
Christopher Kline of FanSided recently recognized this scenario and proposed a few “emergency moves” the Braves could make in response. One of his suggestions was to sign star shortstop Willy Adames away from the Milwaukee Brewers.
“Not to state the obvious, but Willy Adames should be a top priority for the Braves. While there were several weak spots for Atlanta last season, shortstop remains the team’s biggest issue when fully healthy,” Kline wrote. “Orlando Arcia simply doesn’t match up with the rest of Atlanta’s offensive players. Bringing in an elite shortstop would close most of the gaps in the Braves’ roster.”
The veteran shortstop should be a top priority for the Braves, regardless of whether Soto joins a team in the NL East. Signing Adames would complete an All-MLB infield for the Braves and add another middle-of-the-order bat to an already talent-rich lineup.
The 29-year-old shortstop is expected to secure a six-year, $152 million contract, according to Spotrac, with some projections estimating his value could approach $200 million. Adames is also a key target for the Mets this offseason, so signing him would mean the Braves would not only strengthen their roster but also steal him away from New York.
