Braves Free Agent Targets: Chris Taylor Seems Like No-Brainer

As we look at some free agent targets the Atlanta Braves should be going after this offseason, we look at a familiar foe in the versatile Chris Taylor. 

With a Freddie Freeman contract still to get done and the lockout looming, we could see a flurry of moves this week by the Atlanta Braves.

We’ve already seen their division rival New York Mets make several moves to bolster their outfield and depth.

Some teams will want to get deals done quickly in order to have physicals completed before the impending lockout on December 2.

A player I’ve always wanted to see the Braves get is Chris Taylor.

He seems like that perfect Swiss Army knife — maybe the best baseball has seen since Ben Zobrist.

For his career, he’s slashing .261/.337/.443 with a .779 OPS, while playing six different positions — including second base, shortstop, third base, and all three outfield positions.

And as Braves fans are well aware, he’s also a very clutch player in the postseason.

Here is his walk-off home run this past season in the NL Wild Card Game.

And we all remember his Game 5 performance in the NLCS against the Braves, which we can watch now knowing how the series turned out.

In 62 postseason games (SIXTY-TWO!) he’s slashing .259/.364/.478 with a .842 OPS, 9 home runs, 36 runs scored, and 25 RBI. I’d say that’s pretty solid postseason history.

He made his first All-Star appearance in 2021 and finished the season slashing .254/.344/.438 with a .782 OPS and 20 home runs in 507 at-bats.

The one downside with Taylor is that he does strikeout a ton with a K% around 28.

But he also walks at a pretty good clip and just gives you a professional at-bat every time he’s up there.

What’s the Cost for the Braves to Sign Chris Taylor

MLB Trade Rumors has him projected to get $64 million over four years. I don’t see Alex Anthopoulos making that kind of deal. He’s been hesitant to make that long of a deal in free agency on free agents much more worthy than Taylor.

Plus, Taylor rejected the qualifying offer the Dodgers extended him. Is he a player the Braves would deem worth giving up a precious draft pick for? I kind of doubt it.

The right-handed hitter just turned 31 in August and this is his shot to get a big deal.

With the way money has already been thrown around this offseason I wouldn’t be surprised if he got $16 million a year over four years.

If I’m the Braves, I’d offer him three years at $14 million a year with a $12 million team option for a fourth year with a $2 million buyout.

That’s a guaranteed $44 million or a possible $54 million over four years.

His versatility in the field, consistency at the plate, and success in the postseason are what make him such an attractive free agent. It’s also what could make him too expensive for the Braves.

But it would take care of a need in the outfield while providing depth on the infield with more experience for the postseason.

If money and draft picks weren’t an issue, I’d say this is a no-brainer for the Braves — sign him.