{"id":23424,"date":"2025-01-03T23:14:21","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T23:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=23424"},"modified":"2025-01-03T23:14:21","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T23:14:21","slug":"potential-braves-free-agent-targets-contract-demands-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=23424","title":{"rendered":"Potential Braves free agent target’s contract demands revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While the Braves remain quiet this offseason, it\u2019s not expected to stay that way with needs in all three facets of the roster.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d argue that the outfield is in the most dire need of attention, with Michael Harris II as the only healthy starter returning from the end of 2024. Perhaps Jarred Kelenic proves capable of an everyday role, but even then, the Braves will need another starter until Ronald Acuna Jr. returns.<\/p>\n

The bullpen, with Joe Jimenez\u2019s injury and AJ Minter\u2019s free agency, is also a focal point. The club could use another high-leverage reliever. As always with the Braves, the rotation could also use another arm.<\/p>\n

As the winter progresses, fewer options remain to fill those voids, but there is a free agent who could serve Atlanta in multiple roles. Perhaps the Braves\u2019 next Reynaldo Lopez in Jeff Hoffman, whose contract demands have been revealed.<\/p>\n

According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Hoffman is hoping to land a similar contract to the one Clay Holmes signed with the Mets, which was for three years and $38 million. New York plans to utilize Holmes as a starter, similar to Hoffman.<\/p>\n

The Braves signed Lopez to a three-year, $30 million deal last offseason but shocked fans when they revealed their intentions of stretching him out as a starter. The gamble worked better than anyone could have imagined, as he turned in a 1.99 ERA and 1.11 WHIP on the season.<\/p>\n

Before joining the Phillies, Hoffman had done practically nothing in the majors, accruing less than 1.0 WAR in his career. Then, over a two-year stretch, he posted 3.5 WAR. Across his two seasons with the Braves division rival, Hoffman recorded a 2.28 ERA and 0.944 WHIP over 118.2 innings of work.<\/p>\n

Atlanta could use Hoffman as a starter or out of the bullpen. It\u2019s not technically two birds with one stone, but it raises the floor of his potential contribution:<\/p>\n