Braves escaped possible calamity with recent free agent

Eddie Rosario will be remembered in Atlanta forever for his exploits during the Braves’ 2021 World Series run.

It was a Hollywood-worthy performance, which is hilarious given that he ultimately destroyed the Dodgers’ aspirations on his route to NLCS MVP.

Rosario’s playoff performance earned him a two-year, $18 million contract with a $9 million option for 2024. After missing most of 2022 due to an eye issue that necessitated surgery, Rosario rebounded with a more-than-solid 2023, hitting.255 with 21 home runs in 142 games, good for 1.2 fWAR. That left the Braves with what many thought would be a difficult offseason decision.

Alex Anthopoulos ultimately decided not to take up Rosario’s $9 million option, instead allowing him to test free agency. The Braves eventually replaced him by trading for Jarred Kelenic and signed Adam Duvall to a one-year, $3 million contract. Rosario’s decision was confirmed when he was forced to accept a $4 million split contract with the Washington Nationals. However, it looks even better now.

Rosario has been slashing in 23 games for the Nationals.086/.133/.157 for a -19 wRC+ (100 is league average). Over that time, he has accumulated -1.0 fWAR, an astonishingly terrible total in only 23 games.

Rosario has done so much for the Braves franchise that I don’t think anyone in Braves Country is rooting against him, even if he now plays for a division foe. Having said that, this is again another example of Alex Anthopoulos understanding when to buy low and sell high. His ability to avoid such mistakes is amazing, which is one of the many reasons he is often regarded as the best general manager in the sport.