The Atlanta Braves find themselves navigating a tricky offseason as they prepare for the 2025 campaign.
With just a month left before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has yet to secure a single guaranteed major-league contract.
Key Braves Departures: Fried, Soler, and More Leave Gaps to Fill
Meanwhile, other teams have wasted no time scooping up key players.
Max Fried? Gone to the Yankees. Jorge Soler and Travis d’Arnaud? Both headed west to the Angels.
And Charlie Morton? He’s off to the Orioles, leaving notable gaps on the Braves’ roster.
Laureano and Merrifield’s Crucial Contributions
But it’s not just the big names who’ve moved on. Two under-the-radar contributors from the 2024 squad—Ramon Laureano and Whit Merrifield—are also likely out of the picture. Laureano, non-tendered earlier in the offseason, brought a solid glove and occasional offensive sparks.
Merrifield, whose club option wasn’t picked up, provided stability and timely hits during a crucial stretch when injuries tested Atlanta’s depth. Without their midseason acquisitions, the Braves’ streak of seven consecutive postseason appearances might have been in serious jeopardy.
Of the two, Laureano’s return isn’t entirely off the table. He could land back in Atlanta on a low-cost, short-term deal if other options dry up. Merrifield, however, seems more likely to call it a career.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the 35-year-old veteran is contemplating retirement to spend more time with his family, potentially bringing his impressive nine-year major-league journey to a close.
Whit Merrifield: A Quietly Outstanding Career
And what a journey it’s been. Merrifield’s late start—he didn’t debut in the majors until age 27—didn’t stop him from becoming one of the game’s most reliable contact hitters.
He made three All-Star teams, twice led the league in hits, and proved invaluable to Atlanta down the stretch last season, delivering clutch performances when they needed them most.
While his stint with the Braves may have been short-lived, he leaves behind a reputation of consistency and professionalism that few players can match.
If this is indeed the end for Merrifield, he walks away with much to be proud of. Few players have maximized their opportunities as he did, and his contributions—both to the Royals in his prime and to the Braves during their injury-plagued 2024 run—won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
However, the clock is ticking for the Braves, and Anthopoulos has plenty of work to do if Atlanta hopes to remain a contender in the ultra-competitive National League.
