With only one month until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, the Atlanta Braves still have a lot of work to do this winter. While a number of important players have already found new homes, Alex Anthopoulos has failed to sign a single player to a guaranteed major-league deal. Most famously, Charlie Morton signed with the Orioles, Jorge Soler and Travis d’Arnaud joined the Angels, and Max Fried signed with the Yankees.
However, the Braves also risk losing a few unsung heroes from the 2024 team. Atlanta chose not to pick up their club option on Whit Merrifield and decided to non-tender Ramon Laureano earlier in the summer. Without the two players who joined the Braves in the middle of the season, the team’s postseason run probably wouldn’t last seven years.
Though it looks like Whit Merrifield’s time with the Braves is done, Alex Anthopoulos may still make a run at Laureano, who will probably settle for a cheap one-year contract later in the offseason.
The veteran may not play at all the next season as he considers retirement to spend more time with his family, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
When Merrifield was in Atlanta, he was a good match. However, according to a source, he may decide to retire and spend more time with his family, Bowman writes.
Despite not making his Major League Baseball debut until he was 27, AD Merrifield went on to make three All-Star teams and twice led the league in hits. He had some key moments for the Braves when they were completely exhausted by injuries and was one of the best contact hitters of his generation. Although it never looked probable that he would spend another season in Atlanta, he has a lot to be proud of given his nine years in the major leagues, even if this is the end of his career.
