{"id":826980,"date":"2026-10-11T16:45:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T16:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/826980\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T16:45:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T16:45:15","slug":"predicting-every-pending-braves-free-agency-decision-in-2026-27-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/826980\/","title":{"rendered":"Predicting every pending Braves free agency decision in 2026-27 offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ha-Seong Kim- Walk Away <\/p>\n

Kim had one great moment against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the regular season, delivering a walk-off that helped finish the year on a high note. However, the shortstop hit .116 in the regular season and went hitless in the postseason. There simply isn’t a viable argument to be made that bringing back Kim is going to result in anything but frustration. <\/p>\n

Atlanta paid $20 million for what was an objective bust and a player who clearly could use a fresh start in a new role. The Braves need to turn the page and attempt to find a more cemented option for the position. <\/p>\n

Rowdy Tellez-Walk Away <\/p>\n

Tellez had a great season with the Milwaukee Brewers, but is years removed from being a truly viable starting option. Add in the fact that you don’t want to see the slugger in the field at any point in the regular season, and there simply isn’t a good reason to re-sign the veteran. <\/p>\n

Lane Thomas-Walk Away <\/p>\n

Thomas was a trade deadline addition and failed to hit above the Mendoza line after joining the Braves. Putting it simply, the front office can find a more productive bench bat in free agency based on the little that Thomas was able to contribute. It should also be factored in here that the outfielder is going to be less important due to the return of Jurickson Profar. <\/p>\n

Profar has one year remaining on his deal and will return to the lineup if the Braves opt not to trade away a contract that hasn’t aged well. Regardless, Thomas isn’t likely to return for the upcoming season. <\/p>\n

Martin Perez-Re-Sign <\/p>\n

It is fair to wonder if Perez had been healthy, if the series against the Dodgers might have gone a bit differently. Every moment it seemed the veteran southpaw was running out of gas, he found a way to exceed expectations and eat important innings. With the laundry list of injuries the Braves are facing at the position, it would be wise to bring Perez back. <\/p>\n

Considering how many innings the veteran was able to eat and the trust earned from manager Walt Weiss, it would be a surprise not to see the Braves re-sign the aging pitcher for at least one more go around. <\/p>\n

Dominic Smith-Walk Away <\/p>\n

Smith had incredible moments at the start of the season, but faded in production and lineup chances as the year went along. It makes more sense to part ways with Smith and bring in a bench bat that offers a higher level of flexibility moving forward. <\/p>\n

Putting Smith in the field isn’t ideal and clearly limits your defensive ceiling. As great of a story and moment as Smith had in Atlanta, there isn’t a way around it being time to turn the page. <\/p>\n

Tyler Mahle-Re-Sign <\/p>\n

Mahle fading a bit at the end of the year could work in Atlanta’s favor when it comes to re-signing the veteran at a potential bargain. The overall production with the Braves remains elite, with 54.1 innings pitched to the tune of a 1.99 ERA and 48 strikeouts. While the overall numbers aren’t elite, there should be enough of a sample size to bring Mahle back. <\/p>\n

It helps the starter’s case as well that he was one of only two viable postseason options<\/a> considering the extent of Atlanta’s injuries. <\/p>\n

Raisel Iglesias-Re-Sign<\/p>\n

This is a decision that can be argued in either direction, with the deciding factor here being the struggles of Dylan Lee. If the lefty reliever finished the season on a higher note, you’d feel far better about putting Robert Suarez into the closer role and allowing Iglesias to walk. <\/p>\n

As things currently stand, it makes more sense to sign a one-year incentive-laden deal in hopes that Iglesias is going to hold off Father Time for at least another season. <\/p>\n

Joe Jimenez-Walk Away <\/p>\n

Jimenez was never able to stay on the field and simply doesn’t have a case to be re-signed. The Braves are in contention mode, and Jimenez can now be classified as a project player, one who is now years removed from showing that he can contribute at the highest level. <\/p>\n

Mauricio Dubon-Walk Away <\/p>\n

This is the toughest decision on the list, but everything about the career of Dubon suggests that his season with the Braves is an outlier. Paying a player based on a career year is always a dangerous gamble, and that is especially the case with a career utility option. It makes more sense to spend top-dollar to find a clear answer at shortstop and hope that Profar is able to give you something in left field. <\/p>\n

Brent Suter-Walk Away <\/p>\n

The veteran reliever was solid, but again is a piece that can easily be replaced in free agency. It isn’t a real concern whichever direction the Braves choose to go, but the wiser path is to let him walk. <\/p>\n

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