Checking in with former Braves around Major League Baseball

Many players have left Atlanta, for various reasons, and some are thriving at the moment

Lindsay Crosby | Jun 5, 2023

Atlanta Braves fans are lucky that the organization has a stable core of players to build around - with eight of the nine position players (all except left field) signed long-term and several of the pitching staff having multiple years of team control, buying a Braves player's jersey seems to be a pretty safe investment at the moment.

But Atlanta HAS seen turnover at a few spots - shortstop and first base biggest amongst them. Let's go check in on former Braves and how they're doing in their new homes:

SS Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs

Braves: 2016-2022; signed 7-yr, $177M contract with Chicago prior to 2023 season

(2023) 56G: .276/.372/.433 w/ 6 HRs, 19 XBH, 29 R, 24 RBIs, 32 BB to 54 Ks, 4/5 SBs

The most recent significant departure from the Braves, Atlanta native Dansby Swanson departed in free agency after a seven year tenure that saw him lead Atlanta to the 2021 World Series and serve as the emotional heart of the roster. Taking the prime leadership position in the infield after the departure of Freddie Freeman prior to the 2022 season, the Gold Glove-winning shortstop is thriving in his new city of Chicago. Atlanta was able to use the funds that would have gone to Swanson to extend Spencer Strider, as well as trade for and extend Sean Murphy.

1B Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers

Braves: 2010-2021; signed 6 yrs, $162M with Los Angeles prior to 2022 season

(2023) 59G: .336/.408/.567 w/ 10 HRs, 34 XBH, 49 R, 35 RBIs, 28 BB to 42 Ks, 8/9 SBs

Leaving Atlanta after the 2021 World Series to sign with his hometown Los Angeles Dodgers rubbed many Atlanta fans the wrong way. Having come up in the Atlanta farm system after being a 2nd rounder in the 2007 draft, many Braves fans felt betrayed by the decision to defect for the rival Dodgers, even if Atlanta did have the last laugh by beating them in the 2021 NLCS en route to the franchise's first World Series Championship since the 1990s.

Freeman's currently eclipsing his career numbers, leading all of baseball in doubles and total bases and as well as the National League in hits, OPS, and intentional walks. His batting average and on-base are both pacing to be career highs for the 33 year-old, yet the real "winner" of the Freddie Freeman sweepstakes will be decided in a few years, when he's in the back half of his 30s and Atlanta's paying less money to a younger Matt Olson.

OF/DH Jorge Soler, Miami Marlins

Braves: 2021; signed 3 yrs, $36M contract prior to 2022 season

(2023) 57G: .247/.328/.535 w/ 17 HRs, 28 XBH, 32 R, 36 RBIs, 23 BB to 62 Ks, 0 SBAs

Jorge Soler wasn't a member of the Atlanta Braves for long, being traded to the team at the deadline in 2021, but boy did that star burn brightly. Soler was a pivotal member of the 2021 World Series run, going 6-23 with three home runs (including one that still hasn't landed) en route to World Series MVP honors as Atlanta defeated Houston in six games.

After an injury-marred first season in Miami, where he played in only 72 games and batted .207 with 13 homeruns, Soler has gone nuclear as Miami's designated hitter this season, being one of the league leaders in homeruns, with seventeen.

He has an opt out in his contract after 2023, but reports are that he does not currently plan to exercise it.

C William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers

Braves: 2020-2022; traded to Milwaukee before 2023 season

(2023) 45G: .241/.339/.420 w/ 7 HRs, 15 XBH, 20 R, 19 RBIs, 22 BB to 38 Ks, 0 SBAs

An All-Star at designated hitter in 2022, William Contreras was the key piece in a three-way trade between Atlanta, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Oakland A's that saw Atlanta send out seven players but net Sean Murphy in return.

In Milwaukee, where he's been installed as the starter behind the plate, Contreras has shown much improved defense, grading out as one of the best defenders at catcher in all of baseball. His offense isn't quite at the level it was in 2022, with his current slash line coming in well below last year's .278/.354/.506, but when you factor in the defense, he's still been worth 1.2 WAR this season for Milwaukee.

LHP Kyle Muller, Oakland Athletics

Braves: 2021-2022; traded to Oakland before 2023 season

(2023) 10GS: 1-4, 8.08 ERA with 33Ks (6.3 K/9) to 23 BBs (4.4 BB/9) in 47 IP, 9 HRs allowed

Formerly Atlanta's #1 prospect, Muller was one of the headline pieces of the Sean Murphy trade for Oakland. Being announced as the Opening Day starter for the A's, Muller has gotten knocked around this season: He didn't collect a win until May 5th, and Oakland is 3-7 in his ten starts on the season. He's allowed five or more runs in six of his starts, and hasn't made it to the 6th inning in any of his outings on the year.

OF Adam Duvall, Boston Red Sox

Braves: 2018-2022; signed 1 yr, $7M contract prior to 2023 season

(2023) 8G: .455/.514/1.030 w/ 4 HRs, 10 XBH, 11 R, 14 RBIs, 3 BB to 5Ks, 0 SBAs

Adam Duvall, acquired from the Cincinnati Reds at the 2018 trade deadline for Preston Tucker, Lucas Sims, and Matt Wisler, was dreadful after the trade but rounded into a quality contributor for Atlanta. He was non-tendered for the 2021 season by Atlanta, signing with Miami, and Atlanta re-acquired him at the trade deadline, where he ended up leading the National League in RBIs (113).

After wrist surgery prematurely ended his 2022 season, he signed a one-year deal with Boston, coming out of the gate scorching hot before another wrist injury sent him to the 60-day IL. He is currently on rehab starts with Boston's AAA affiliate and is eligible to return on June 9th.

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Published Jun 5, 2023