This offseason, the Braves have a lot of important decisions to make, but three seem like no-brainers. According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the team intends to pick up Aaron Bummer, Travis d’Arnaud, and Marcell Ozuna’s options.
For a few different reasons, the Braves are a bit stuck at the designated hitter position. mostly because Ronald Acuña Jr.’s future is, at best, uncertain. It’s uncertain right now if he’ll be well enough to play in the outfield after undergoing his second ACL surgery. Even though Jorge Soler, who is signed for two more seasons with the Braves, played right field this season, he might be better off as a designated hitter. Even though Ozuna’s option was always going to be picked up, Soler and he won’t be on the Opening Day roster the next season.
Aaron Bummer also isn’t going anywhere, and for good reason. His 3.68 ERA on the season isn’t anything to write home about, but his 2.23 FIP suggests he was plagued by some really abysmal luck. Bummer also struck out 11.2 batters per nine innings, and his performance in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series is exactly why he’s sticking around for at least one more season.
Travis d’Arnaud will also be back for the Braves, most likely platooning with Sean Murphy once more at the plate. Murphy hurt his oblique on Opening Day and had a forgettable season. After Murphy came back, d’Arnaud was superior in every aspect of the game, and having him in the clubhouse is obviously a big help. Several people have expressed interest in d’Arnaud taking over as manager in the event that Brian Snitker decides to retire. Though it’s not a very insane idea, it will need to wait for at least another year. D’Arnaud still has some left in him as a player, and Snitker has already stated that he plans to return the following year.
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