Atlanta Braves' Free-Agency Shopping List

With the 2014 MLB regular season having come to a close, the Atlanta Braves are officially in offseason mode.

When looking at how the team fared this year, especially in the second half, there are a number of spots on the roster that must be addressed for 2015. There are also holes that will need to be filled because of departing players.

Unlike many teams around the league, even those others that missed the playoffs, Atlanta is in an odd offseason situation. It has a number of decisions to make regarding its roster, where a specific choice can take the team in two wildly different directions.

For example, Evan Gattis can return as the team's full-time starting catcher. He is a great bat and serviceable receiver. However, the Braves could choose to slide Gattis to another position or look to move him to make room for young defensive whiz Christian Bethancourt.

Similarly, Atlanta has the option to bring back B.J. Upton in center field and Chris Johnson at third base. Neither player played well enough this past season to warrant the job again in 2015, but both will be under contract still.

For the new general manager, it will be these types of monetary decisions that shape the future of the roster. And if Upton or Johnson departs, Jason Heyward, Phil Gosselin, et al. could fill their respective positions, meaning the hole to fill won't necessarily be that of the departing player.

As far as free agency is concerned, no matter what choices the new GM makes, there are several spots that must be addressed. The first, surprisingly, is starting pitcher.

Starting Pitcher

Atlanta was a very good pitching team in 2014. However, the staff has only two certain starters returning next season in Julio Teheran and Alex Wood.

The other spots are all up in the air. The Braves have options in enigma Mike Minor and injury returnees Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen.

It would be surprising to see Atlanta rely on that quintet without bringing in some other options either on short-term deals, similar to what Ervin Santana and Aaron Harang received this season, or as long-term solutions.

Either way, the rotation must be addressed so that this team's main strength doesn't become a weakness next season.

Outfielder

Whether Upton remains the starting center fielder or not, the Braves need to see more production out of their outfield bats in 2015. Upton is below the replacement level at the plate.

Meanwhile, Heyward quietly put together a stellar all-around season but struggled to hit for much power. And Atlanta never found a designated fourth outfielder who could be counted on to produce.

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Directly releasing Upton would be the smartest baseball move to make. Eating the remaining $45-plus million on his contract would be hard to stomach for ownership, though.

If Upton remains in center and needs a spell twice a week, or if he becomes a full-time bench player, Atlanta will need another bat that can play out there no matter what.

Middle Infielder

With the incredible offensive struggles this team went through, not even All-Star Andrelton Simmons is above reproach. Simmons managed to finish the year as one of the very worst hitters in all of baseball.

His .617 OPS slotted him 142nd out of 147 qualified hitters this season. Simmons actually finished with a lower OPS than teammate Upton.

The defensive acumen meant Simmons still deserved regular playing time, but combined with the rotation going on next to him at second base, the Atlanta middle infield was a cesspool at the plate.

Rookies Tommy La Stella and Gosselin both proved capable, yet they lack upside for the future as neither has much speed or any power.

Again, regardless of the decision of who becomes the official starter at second base, a better bat needs to be brought in through free agency. These guys can't be given a combined 1,200 at-bats next season at the shortstop and second base positions. 

Third Baseman

Although not as dire of a situation as center field, third base became a problem spot this season for the Braves. Johnson is not much of a player but is under contract for another three years.

He seems much more suited to be a bench bat and pinch hitter, but he will not be paid like it. The contract isn't as egregious as Upton's, but it might be equally as hard to move Johnson just because he offers little to a prospective trade partner.

Once again, the best baseball move is to have Johnson be a substitute and bring in a free agent to claim the 500 at-bats of the starting third baseman.

Left-handed Reliever

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Pretty much every team addresses its bullpen each and every offseason. High turnover in the bullpen (outside of the closer position) is perfectly normal. Atlanta's group of relievers was pretty good overall in 2014 but could use an improved lefty reliever.

A midseason trade was made for James Russell to address opposing lefty batters. Russell finished the year with very good overall numbers but was actually horrendous when facing left-handers at the plate.

It was an odd split to finish the season with for Russell and something Atlanta will have to consider when planning its pen for 2015.