5 Braves stars who might be off the team in 2025 ft. Whit Merrifield, Adam Duvall, Gio Urshela and more
The Atlanta Braves began the 2024 season with grand expectations, but their postseason hopes are now hanging by a thread. Injuries to key players have decimated the Braves, who have been reduced to fielding aging veterans and rentals to get through the season.
Regardless of their achievements this year, the Braves will look to rebuild their roster in the offseason, and there could be a few players who may not remain with the team next year.
5 Braves stars who might be off the team in 2025
#5. A.J. Minter, LHP
A.J. Minter has been a reliable arm in the Braves bullpen over the past several years. However, the southpaw underwent surgery on his left hip last month, which has ruled him out for the season. Minter avoided salary arbitration by signing a $6.22 million deal for 2024. He intends to sign a long-term deal with the Braves, but he will have to prove his worth again in the offseason.
For now, Minter will be solely focused on getting healthy to return to the mound next year, although it may well be with a different team.
#4. Gio Urshela, IF
Gio Urshela was released by the Detroit Tigers before the Braves signed the veteran infielder when third baseman Austin Riley got ruled out for the season last month. Even though he has played solid defense at the hot corner, his offensive production diminished considerably. Urshela has an OPS+ of 60, along with four extra-base hits and no homers in 19 games for the Braves.
Urshela signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Tigers for 2024, but the Braves are not going to extend his stay despite the attractive price.
#3. Whit Merrifield, 2B
Whit Merrifield signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on a two-year, $15 million deal at the start of the season but failed to make an impact with the team. The Braves traded for him before the deadline after losing second baseman Ozzie Albies to injury in July. He has improved at the plate since then and is batting .243/.359/.342 with seven extra-base hits and 98 OPS+ in 34 games for the team.
The Braves have an $8 million option to retain Merrifield for 2025, but they will likely choose to buyout the contract for $1 million instead.
#2. Charlie Morton, RHP
Charlie Morton inked a four-year, $75 million deal with the Braves, which is set to expire at the end of this season. The starting pitcher has been a solid performer for the injury-marred Braves rotation. Thus far, Morton logged in 149 innings from 27 starts with an 8-8 record for the season with a 4.11 ERA.
There could be a dozen players vying for a place in the Braves starting rotation next season, but Charlie Morton is unlikely to be among them.
#1. Adam Duvall, OF
Adam Duvall has been a cult hero among the Braves fans and was a key player of the World Series-winning team of 2021. He returned to Atlanta on a one-year, $3 million deal after spending the previous season with the Boston Red Sox. However, he has been miserable at the plate so far, batting .184/.248/.328 with an OPS+ of just 60 despite hitting 10 home runs.
Even though it could be a painful blow for the fans, it is perhaps a straightforward decision for the Braves front office to not re-sign Adam Duvall for next season.