3 Potential Under-the-Radar Atlanta Braves Free-Agent Targets

We still don't know what direction the yet-to-be-named new Atlanta Braves general manager will take with the 2015 ballclub. The directive may be to strip the team down and rebuild, but the Braves brain trust could also make a few key changes to try and quickly put a competitive team back on the field.

When John Schuerholz took over the Braves front office before the 1991 season, he spent the offseason collecting an array of under-the-radar free agents. It was a motley crew of baseball mercenaries who would go on to play an important role in augmenting the nucleus of the legendary worst-to-first team.

Terry Pendleton, Sid Bream and Charlie Leibrandt were just a few of the free agents that '91 team signed as part of its extreme makeover. With the 2015 Braves in need of a similar makeover before they take the field next spring, who are some potential under-the-radar free-agent targets that the Braves may set their sights on?

Jake Peavy

If Jake Peavy's work on the mound since the trade deadline has done anything, it's raised his free-agent price tag considerably. Nevertheless, the Braves' long search for an ace may finally find its way back to Peavy.

The National League champion San Francisco Giants acquired Peavy at the trade deadline from the 2013 World Series champion Boston Red Sox. While he struggled to the tune of a 4.72 ERA in the first half of the year in Boston, he was reborn in San Francisco, where he posted a 2.17 ERA. His superb work has continued through two starts this postseason.

The Braves were close to a deal to acquire Peavy from the Padres during the 2008-09 offseason but could never come to terms with San Diego.

If "The Braves Way" of the 1990s and early 2000s was built around starting pitching, then this offseason should see them make that a focus as they attempt to recapture that spirit.

Andrew Miller

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Another key member of that 2013 Boston World Series championship team was lefty reliever Andrew Miller. There were rumors swirling around the trade deadline this year that the Braves were interested in acquiring him from the Red Sox.

The price wound up being pretty steep for a two-month rental player, as the Orioles traded Eduardo Rodriguez, one of their top five prospects, to acquire Miller. Of course, Miller was everything they hoped he would be, posting a 1.35 ERA and minuscule 0.60 WHIP—truly dominant numbers—in 23 games for Baltimore.

The Braves did eventually find a lefty reliever at the deadline, acquiring James Russell from the Cubs. He had a 2.22 ERA in 22 games for Atlanta. But that good performance should not lull the Braves into complacency about their bullpen.

In targeting Miller on the free-agent market, the Braves would be going after a true setup man who can get both lefties (.163 BAA) and righties (.145 BAA) out. They haven't had a left-handed reliever who could match those kinds of numbers since Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters each went down with injuries in 2013.

Kelly Johnson

Rob Carr/Associated Press

Perhaps an easy way to return to "The Braves Way" would be to bring back some former players who remember what those teams were like. Kelly Johnson may no longer be the fresh-faced prospect he was when he was one of the Baby Braves in 2005, but 10 years later, he could be a good under-the-radar acquisition for Atlanta.

As the Braves try to figure out which prospect will eventually win the second base job—Tommy La Stella, Phil Gosselin or Jose Peraza—they could use Johnson to fill the void and provide veteran leadership for their young trio of middle infielders.

As the young kids take on more of the everyday duties, Johnson could shift to a pinch-hitting role. He could also see some time in the outfield or at third base, where he could work in a limited platoon with Chris Johnson.

A Johnson and Johnson platoon could allow the team to rest Chris against tough right-handers. While Kelly doesn't have a pronounced platoon split, he does offer better on-base ability—something the team sorely lacked this year.