Evaluating the Atlanta Braves’ top free agent signings for 2024

The Atlanta Braves’ 2024 season can be defined by rolling the dice. They took some risks to make the playoffs. Some were brilliant. Others didn’t work either.

With the season in review, we can look back at each new addition and give them a comprehensive assessment.

Any player signed as a free agent in the offseason prior to the 2024 season or during the season qualifies for this list. Players who played for the Braves in 2023 and re-signed with the club are not considered for this list. Sorry, Jesse Chavez and Eddie Rosario.

Each player is considered a hit or miss depending on the success of the signing.

Reynaldo Lopez

This signing made Alex Anthopoulos look as brilliant as ever. The 30-year-old right-hander finished with a 1.99 ERA in 26 appearances (25 starts) and 148 strikeouts in 135 2/3 innings. Had he not suffered an injury later in the year, he might have cost his own teammate the Triple Crown by winning the ERA title.

He has absolutely secured his spot in the rotation for 2025.

Grade: hit

Whit Merrifield

In theory, this signing should be a failure according to statistics. Merrifield batted .248 with an OPS of .684 and an OPS+ of 93. It’s not great, but in the context of the season he did pretty well.

He stepped in and filled in in Ozzie Albies’ absence while even battling his own injuries. The power in his bat was non-existent and the advanced stats punished him for it. But he provided a solid contact hitter for the lineup.

Grade: hit

Gio Urshela

In a previous hit-or-miss story, I classified Gio Urshela as a failure. Man, he made me eat my words. Urshela came into the game after Austin Riley suffered a wrist injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

He batted .265 with an OPS of .711 with four home runs and 15 RBIs. It was a solid performance, but the end to the season was unreal. In his final 12 games of the season, Urshela batted .348 with a .992 OPS, three home runs and eight RBIs.

Will he be back next season? Probably not. But he made the most of his time in Atlanta.

Grade: hit

Adam Duvall

Oh man. Adam Duvall’s return should have worked much better on paper. He had a solid 2023 season with the Boston Red Sox and was also solid with the Braves before that. For Duvall, it was the worst-case scenario.

He batted .182 with an OPS of .569 in 104 games. Things got so bad that he only played six games in September. He was also left off the playoff squad.

This is the end of his time in Atlanta. The memories of the World Series were fun, but it’s time to move on.

Grade: Miss

Ramon Laureano

Laureano proved to be the best mid-season signing. In 67 games, he hit .296 with an .832 OPS, 10 home runs and 29 RBIs. In 162 games, that’s on pace for 24 home runs and 70 RBIs.

As the team desperately searched for consistency, Laureano delivered. The best part is that the Braves have another year of control over him. He isn’t eligible for MLB free agency until 2026 – he was on a minor league contract and his contract was bought out.

He will contribute again next season and that should be welcomed.

Grade: hit