Free Agent Signing: Atlanta Braves Add 20-HR Hitting Outfielder

The Atlanta Braves have made an addition to their ever-evolving outfield depth, signing four-year MLB veteran Bryan De La Cruz, coming off a 21-HR season.

The #Braves today signed OF Bryan De La Cruz to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2025 season.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) December 15, 2024

Now, don't let that 21-home run stat fool you — De La Cruz did not have a good year offensively split between the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates. He recorded a career-low .654 OPS and 77 OPS+. He managed just a .271 on-base percentage and a .384 slugging pct. Those numbers were a little bit below his career averages.

Ironically, while his HR totals have trended up across his four major league seasons, every other important offensive stat has declined each and every year, from slugging to OPS to OPS+. Overall, in 475 MLB games, the 28-year-old has a .704 OPS, and is 10% below the league average hitter with a 90 OPS+.

But the Braves are seemingly always looking to fortify their outfield depth, and always seem to get the most out of their pickings from the scrap heap. They'll be glad to take a chance on De La Cruz. Their starting OF currently consists of Michael Harris, failed top prospect Jarred Kelenic, and is awaiting the return of Ronald Acuna Jr. sometime into the season, after missing the last four months of 2024 with a torn ACL.

De La Cruz's one-year deal is non-guaranteed.