The Atlanta Braves are looking to acquire a shortstop, but their biggest priority resides in the rotation and the bullpen. While they've been linked to a few big names, they've missed out on a few top targets as well.
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Braves were interested in two free-agent relievers, though neither signed with the Braves.
Their top free agent targets leave on combined $88 million contracts to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Detroit Tigers. While they're pivoting elsewhere now, the Braves lost out on two free agents to the Dodgers and Tigers.
Braves miss out on top free agent targets to Dodgers, Tigers
"The Atlanta Braves explored price points for free-agent closer Edwin Diaz as well as other late-inning relievers, according to people briefed on their discussions," Rosenthal and Sammon write. "They were interested in righty Kyle Finnegan before he agreed to return to the Detroit Tigers on a two-year, $19 million agreement..."
Edwin Diaz, a player the Braves were considering, ended up signing a three-year deal with the Dodgers worth $69 million total. Kyle Finnegan re-signed with the Tigers on a two-year deal worth $19 million.
While the Braves re-signed Raisel Iglesias early in the offseason, they were still in need of more bullpen help, and Finnegan and Diaz were their top options.
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The two free agent relievers signed combined $88 million deals with the Dodgers and Tigers, and now the Braves have to pivot to other options.
Rosenthal and Sammon point to former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez as the Braves' next free agent target.
Whether they can sign the best closer on the market remains to be seen; their interest and pursuit of other top arms point to Atlanta being active in Suarez's market for the rest of the winter.
Atlanta has missed out on two relievers worth a combined $88 million, as both Diaz and Finnegan chose other teams this offseason. Whether it's Suarez or another pitcher, the Braves are likely to add at least one more reliever this offseason.
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