Orlando Arcia’s 2023 season gave the Braves every reason to believe they’d struck gold at shortstop. With a .264 average, 17 home runs, and 65 RBIs, he wasn’t just a dependable glove in the infield but a legitimate offensive contributor who made his first All-Star appearance.
This kind of production from a middle infielder, especially one known for his defense, set expectations sky-high. But after a rollercoaster in 2024, those hopes have faded, leaving his future with the Braves uncertain. In 2024, Arcia managed to maintain his power with another 17 home runs. However, his batting average plummeted to .218. His on-base percentage also slid from .321 to .271, making his offensive production hard to justify despite his steady defense.
Advanced metrics underscores this drop in offensive output. His Wins Above Replacement (WAR) – a stat that measures how much value a player adds over a replacement-level player – dropped sharply from 2.4 in 2023 to just 0.8 in 2024, one of the lowest in the league. To make matters worse, his Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+), an index showing how many runs a player contributes, was among the bottom tier, with Arcia finishing at 76, the second-lowest in MLB, only slightly above Royals infielder Maikel Garcia.
Arcia’s advocates point to his defensive consistency as a reason to keep him on the field. With 4 Outs Above Average (OAA) in 2024, he’s still solid at shortstop, making the tough plays and helping the Braves infield stay strong.
But as Atlanta aims to capitalize on its championship-caliber roster, front-office patience may be running thin. Arcia’s dip in offensive production leaves the Braves with a difficult decision: stick with a proven defender with dwindling offensive impact or consider a change to strengthen the lineup.
Atlanta does have a potential future option in 21-year-old Nacho Alvarez Jr., who had a brief taste of the majors in 2023. However, the young infielder may need more seasoning before he’s ready for a regular role. That puts the Braves in the market for a solution, and two names keep coming up: Willy Adames and Ha-Seong Kim.
Adames, with his power numbers – over 30 home runs and 100 RBIs this past season – and steady defense, could be what Atlanta needs at shortstop. He’s also been linked to the Braves for over a year, so the interest might already be mutual. Ha-Seong Kim, on the other hand, brings a different profile.
He’s known for his plate discipline, with a balanced 58 walks and 77 strikeouts in 2024 and an ability to get on base – qualities that could complement Atlanta’s high-powered lineup. However, with Kim represented by the Boras Corporation, a move for him could come at a significant cost.
Arcia is signed through 2025 with a club option for 2026, but given the Braves’ current “win-now” mindset, they might look to move him as soon as the Winter Meetings if the right deal comes along. General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has shown he isn’t afraid to shake things up. With the Braves’ recent postseason disappointments, a change at shortstop might be one of the moves needed to push the team to the next level. Whether Arcia stays or goes, Atlanta’s path to a deeper playoff run may very well depend on making the right call at shortstop this offseason.
