Alex Wood, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves. (Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports)
The Atlanta Braves need to make the right moves in free agency to repeat as world champions.
For the first time in 26 years, the Atlanta Braves enter the offseason as World Series Champions.
Atlanta overcame all odds to win the 2021 Fall Classic over the Houston Astros. This team did not get above .500 until August. Had it not been for a series of incredible trades made at the deadline, the Braves would not have sniffed October. While they have plenty of work to do this offseason, here are three players they need to target in free agency, as well as one player to avoid entirely.
Expect for the Braves to retain their own, with a few key additions outside of the organization.
Atlanta Braves: 3 free agents to sign, 1 to avoid entirely
3
Alex Wood
LHP San Francisco Giants
Alex Wood began his career with the Braves, and he is exactly what they need
While Alex Wood has spent more time away from Atlanta than he ever did with the Braves organization, the soon-to-be 31-year-old left-hander is an ideal piece to help round out their pitching staff. The former University of Georgia standout spent his first 2.5 big-league seasons in the Braves organization before getting dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2015 deadline.
Wood was an All-Star in 2017 during his initial run with the Dodgers, helping them win a World Series in 2020 during his second stint with the team. He spent last season as a key piece in the San Francisco Giants rotation. Though he could potentially return to the Bay Area on a second contract, he is exactly what the Braves are in need of to round out their pitching staff this winter.
Atlanta needs depth in its rotation at the No. 3 and No. 4 spot. Wood would be an upgrade over Drew Smyly, who is the guy he pretty much replaced in the Giants rotation last year. Though not a reliever by trade, he has shown he can come in relief and give his team innings in that role. At this stage of his career, it is all about winning. There are few places he can do it better than in Atlanta.
While the Braves may welcome Wood back with open arms, he will have many suitors this winter.