The Braves are planning to train their 2025 membership choices on designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, left-hander Aaron Bummer and catcher Travis d’Arnaud, stories Mark Bowman of MLB.com. President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos implied as a lot at right this moment’s end-of-season press convention, saying every has “put himself in a great spot.” All three had robust seasons — Ozuna specifically — so not one of the choices ought to register as a significant shock. Ozuna’s choice requires a $16MM wage subsequent season, whereas Bummer will likely be paid $7.25MM and d’Arnaud $8MM.
Ozuna, 34 subsequent month, slugged 39 residence runs this season — the second-highest mark of his profession — and turned in a strong .302/.378/.546 slash on the season. That manufacturing clocked in at a weighty 54% higher than league-average, by measure of wRC+ (154). That’s the second-best mark of Ozuna’s profession and his finest mark in a full, 162-game marketing campaign; his career-high 178 mark got here through the shortened 2020 season. Relationship again to 2023, Ozuna has clobbered 79 residence runs for the Braves and performed in all however 18 of their video games.
Atlanta’s deadline acquisition of Jorge Soler makes the 2025 roster a bit clunky with Ozuna additionally within the fold. Each are nominal nook outfielders who’re finest deployed primarily as a chosen hitter. The Braves plugged Soler into their injury-plagued outfield combine after buying him this summer season, in hopes of bolstering a lineup that was lacking Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II on the time.
Soler did simply that, hitting .243/.356/.493 and clubbing 9 homers in 193 plate appearances in his return to Atlanta, however he additionally posted brutal defensive marks in a 3rd of a season of left discipline work (-10 Defensive Runs Saved, -6 Outs Above Common). With Soler signed via 2026, Atlanta might attempt to reside along with his protection for a yr after which flip Ozuna’s DH slot over to Soler in 2026, however there’ll absolutely be no less than a point of commerce chatter surrounding Soler this winter as effectively.
As for the opposite two choice calls, each appeared apparent. Bummer was acquired from the White Sox final offseason and had a pleasant first yr in his new environs, rebounding from a down yr to offer 55 1/3 innings of three.58 ERA ball with even higher underlying metrics. The 6’3″ southpaw punched out 28.3% of his opponents and issued walks at solely a 7.4% clip — the second-lowest mark of his profession. His 59.7% ground-ball charge, whereas decrease than his mammoth 64.9% profession mark, was nonetheless about 17 share factors greater than the league common. Add in the truth that his choice got here with a $1.25MM buyout (successfully making it a web $6MM name) and that his contract additionally accommodates a $7.5MM membership choice for 2026, and there was by no means a lot doubt he’d be again in ’25.
Turning to the 35-year-old d’Arnaud (36 in February), he’ll be again for a sixth season at Truist Park after slashing .238/.302/.436 with 15 homers in 341 plate appearances. That’s solely a bit higher than league-average on a charge foundation (103 wRC+), nevertheless it’s robust manufacturing relative to catchers all through the league, who are typically about 10% worse than common on the plate. It’s notably stout manufacturing for a staff’s No. 2 catcher, which is the position d’Arnaud will occupy with Sean Murphy nonetheless within the early phases of a six-year contract.
Accidents to Murphy expanded d’Arnaud’s workload this yr, and he dealt with the elevated utilization fairly effectively on each side of the plate. His 19.1% caught-stealing charge was under par, however not by a lot, and his framing work was roughly common. Statcast credited him as barely higher than common relating to blocking balls within the grime. As d’Arnaud enters his age-36 season, it’s at all times doable that his defensive expertise might drop off sharply, however assuming higher well being from Murphy, d’Arnaud will in all probability even be requested to shoulder a smaller workload than 2024’s 706 innings.
The Braves maintain a fourth membership choice as effectively — a $7MM choice on right-hander Luke Jackson. Atlanta reacquired the longtime Courageous alongside Soler in that deadline swap with the Giants. He pitched 18 innings with a 4.50 ERA and large 31% strikeout charge … but in addition a 13.1% stroll charge. Coupled along with his time in San Francisco, he completed the season with a 5.09 ERA, 25.1% strikeout charge and 11.1% stroll charge in 53 innings.
Jackson’s choice comes with a $2MM buyout, however even at a web $5MM value the Braves appear prone to transfer on. Atlanta has a deep (and costly) bullpen that includes Raisel Iglesias, Joe Jimenez, Pierce Johnson and the aforementioned Bummer. That quartet alone will mix for $39.75MM in 2025 wage. The Braves may also see lefty Dylan Lee attain arbitration for the primary time.
