The Atlanta Braves have several key decisions to make this offseason, but three seem straightforward. According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the team is expected to pick up the contract options for Marcell Ozuna, Travis d’Arnaud, and Aaron Bummer, signaling confidence in their continued contributions for the upcoming season.
The Braves are facing a bit of a logjam at the designated hitter position for a couple of reasons, primarily due to uncertainty around Ronald Acuña Jr.’s future. Acuña is recovering from his second ACL surgery, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be healthy enough to return to the outfield. Jorge Soler, who performed well as a designated hitter despite playing right field this season, is under contract for two more years, adding to the dilemma. While the decision to pick up Marcell Ozuna’s option was expected, it doesn’t guarantee that both he and Soler will be on the roster for next season’s Opening Day.
As for Aaron Bummer, he’s staying put, and for good reason. While his 3.68 ERA isn’t eye-catching, his 2.23 FIP suggests he was a victim of bad luck this season. Bummer also averaged 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings, and his strong performance in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series demonstrates why the Braves are confident in retaining him for another season.
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