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Fox Sports names Braves World Series champion outfielder
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Fox Sports names Braves World Series champion outfielder

THE Atlanta Braves are already working hard to establish their roster for the 2025 season. Heading into the offseason, ready to increase payroll and improve the roster, they might be ready to pick up another outfield bat.

Fox Sports released its Top 30 free agents for 2025and they named Braves worthy outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.

After a disappointing 2023 season with the Seattle Mariners, the 32-year-old outfielder bounced back to have one of the best seasons of his career.

Hernández cut .272/.339/.501 with a career-high 33 home runs. His 99 RBIs are the second most of his career. His performance earned him his second career All-Star nomination and he won the 2024 Home Run Derby.

Hernandez had a strong performance in the World Series. He slashed .350/.381/.550 with a home run and four RBIs.

His home run was a two-run shot that put the Dodgers up 3-1 against the Yankees in Game 2 en route to a 2-0 series lead.

Hernandez leaves a one-year, $23.5 million contract. Although he received a solid salary, this can still be considered something of a proof deal, as he was only signed for one year.

However, Rowan Kavner of Fox Sports wrote that he is going to get a solid salary.

“This move is poised to handsomely reward the Home Run Derby champion, whether back in Los Angeles, where he rebounded to an All-Star season as a key cog for the champions, or elsewhere” , Kavner wrote.

Kavner personally sees Hernandez staying in Los Angeles. However, he included the Braves as a potential candidate for a reason. While Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris have right and center fields locked down, the left field position is still up for grabs. Most of the options they have are deeper rooms than entrances.

It wouldn’t even be the biggest upgrade by today’s standards.

Spotrac Projects his market value would be about the same each year ($23.8 million), but he would get a three-year contract ($71.26 million). This would, in theory, sign him for the remainder of his prime years and is a very attainable contract for the Braves.

The Brave also recently made trades that move money for 2025. Their latest deals with Aaron Bummer and Reynaldo Lopez help create more immediate salary space for next season. That space could go toward a free agent signing like Hernandez.