Atlanta Braves Reportedly Targeting Free Agent OF Cody Ross

The Atlanta Braves have a right-handed bat high on their shopping list this offseason and are reportedly interested in former Boston Red Sox outfielder Cody Ross.

Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reported, “The Atlanta Braves, looking to add an outfield bat, have interest in signing free-agent outfielder Cody Ross, according to a major-league source.”

Morosi notes that the Braves were also looking at Torii Hunter, but the 37-year-old is likely heading to either the Texas Rangers or Detroit Tigers. This leaves Ross as one of the team’s best options to add depth in the outfield and put another big bat in the lineup.

Ross is a career .262 hitter and is coming off a season in which he hit 22 home runs while batting .267. He had an OPS of .807 and drove in 81 runs in 130 games.

The Braves finished 94-68 this season and met the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Game. Their 2012 postseason lasted just nine innings as they lost the game 6-3.

The team has been stuck in limbo in the NL East and finished second behind the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010 and 2011 before being runners-up to the Washington Nationals in the division this season.

After finishing seventh in the National League in runs scored and 11th in team batting average, Ross’ bat would certainly be a welcomed addition.

However, there will be competition to sign him, as CBS Sports’ R.J. White reported that the Red Sox, Phillies, New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles are all showing interest.

Ross’ signature is certainly coveted, and the storylines surrounding him will continue to make headlines this offseason.