The Atlanta Braves are at it again, keeping things low-key while still stacking potential where it counts. This offseason hasn’t exactly been a fireworks show for the Braves, but that doesn’t mean they’re asleep at the wheel.
Nope, they’ve just made another sneaky move by signing Bryan De La Cruz to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract. And if you’re brushing this off as minor-league-level news, hang tight because there might be more here than meets the eye.
A Low-Risk Move with High-Upside Potential
De La Cruz is coming off a season that was a bit of a rollercoaster. In the first part of 2024 with the Miami Marlins, he looked like he was starting to put it together. He clocked 18 homers and showed off some legit power at the plate. But then came the trade deadline deal that sent him to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and something went missing.
His power numbers dipped, his average slumped, and suddenly, he went from a potential breakout to being non-tendered. Just like that, De La Cruz found himself on the free-agent market.
The Braves have decided to roll the dice, but it makes sense. De La Cruz’s 2024 season numbers don’t scream superstar—a .233 average, 21 homers, and 68 RBIs over 622 plate appearances—but they whisper possibility. His potential might be hiding in plain sight.
Across his four-season MLB career, he’s batting .253 with a .407 slugging percentage. That’s not going to blow anyone away, but it’s certainly solid enough for a team like the Braves, who have a knack for making smart, low-risk moves pay off big-time.
Depth and Versatility in the Braves Outfield
Let’s not forget De La Cruz isn’t just a left-field guy. He’s also shown he can handle right field, which makes him a potentially useful stopgap while Ronald Acuña Jr. works his way back from injury. Flexibility is gold in the majors, and De La Cruz’s ability to cover multiple spots could give the Braves exactly the depth they need.
The kicker is it’s a guaranteed contract but MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says there are options. If De La Cruz doesn’t deliver in spring training, he could start the season down in Triple-A Gwinnett or not stick with the club. That’s the beauty of a low-risk deal.
The Braves can play it safe while still keeping an eye on De La Cruz’s upside. And if he does find his swing and starts cranking out home runs again? This under-the-radar move suddenly starts looking like another piece of Braves front-office magic.
The competition in left field is going to be interesting. De La Cruz will be head to head with Jarred Kelenic, who the Braves traded for earlier in the offseason. Kelenic’s another player with untapped potential, so it’s like the Braves are stockpiling high-upside guys who just need a spark.
Can the Braves Find Another Hidden Gem?
You’ve got a trio fighting for their spot in the outfield after throwing Eli White in the mix. Meanwhile, Michael Harris II has center field on lockdown, so all the intrigue lies in the corner spots.
While the Braves aren’t making headline-grabbing splashes this offseason, they are doing something arguably just as important: building depth, creating competition, and giving themselves options.
That’s a winning formula in a sport where anything can happen over a 162-game grind. Don’t sleep on this move because if Bryan De La Cruz finds his rhythm, he could be one of the quietest steals of the winter.
