Breaking: Dodgers World Series Hero Linked to Braves in…
The first week of November brought news that Atlanta Braves fans were certainly not hoping to hear.
According to multiple reports, outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and starting pitcher Spencer Strider are both expected to miss Opening Day in 2025, and there’s no exact timetable for when each might return. The best position player and pitcher on the 2023 Braves, the two were both crucial absences for Atlanta throughout this past season.
The Braves were already going to be in the market for a corner outfielder this winter after trading Jorge Soler to the Los Angeles Angels. Acuña’s injury could increase their urgency, and perhaps they will soon draw a bead on a superstar slugger from one of their chief National League rivals.
Teoscar Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers is getting set to hit free agency after a resurgent season and a World Series title. Recently, MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand linked the Braves to Hernández in a 2025 free agency preview.
“Hernández’s numbers dipped for two straight seasons following his breakout 2021, but his move to Los Angeles agreed with him, as he whacked a career-high 33 home runs with 99 RBIs and an .840 OPS in 154 games, then starred in the postseason,” Feinsand said.
“Hernández declined two-year offers from other clubs to sign a one-year, $23.5 million deal with the Dodgers last winter, but entering his age-32 season, he figures to seek a multiyear contract this offseason.”
Exact contract projections are always difficult, but Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently predicted that Hernández would land a three-year, $75 million deal, which seems reasonable given the slight uptick in annual salary from his $23.5 million contract with the Dodgers.
The Braves could send a loud message to the rest of the NL by prying Hernández away from Los Angeles. They should have pockets plenty deep enough to do so, and with Acuña’s extended injury timeline, they may have the urgency required to get a deal done.
