2021 was a magical year for the Atlanta Braves, a year many fans will never forget. From being under .500, to Ronald Acuña Jr. tearing his ACL, and a flurry of trade deadline moves, it was truly a special year. You wouldn’t be able to write the story of the Braves World Series run without mentioning Eddie Rosario. The 2021 NLCS MVP had a series to remember against the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting .560 with 14 hits and three home runs. Of course, you can’t forget the home run in Game Six that sealed the Braves’ ticket to the World Series.
A #postseason ⭐️ is born. pic.twitter.com/rQusDJbojF
— MLB (@MLB) October 24, 2021
Braves Bring Back Eddie Rosario
The first half of this season, however, has not been one for the 32-year-old to remember. After Atlanta declined the $9 million club option for the 2024 season, Rosario hit the free agency market. Rosario ended up signing a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals late in the spring, inking a $2 million deal with the potential of it becoming a $4 million deal with incentives. After a subpar performance this season, the Nationals ended up designating Rosario for assignment. He hit only .183/.226/.329 with seven home runs over 235 plate appearances. Once he cleared waivers on July 1st, the Braves signed Rosario to a minor league deal on July 5th.
Eddie Rosario has signed a Minor League deal with the Braves and will report to Gwinnett tonight
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 5, 2024
Need For Outfield Depth
Outside of the obvious injuries that the Atlanta Braves have in their outfield this season, there has been no shortage of underperformance as well. Other than Jarred Kelenic, Atlanta has not had any meaningful performances from the corner outfielders. Adam Duvall has a .134 average this season against right-handed pitching and hit his first home run this past Sunday against a right-handed pitcher. While Duvall has strung together a couple of multi-hit games recently, the overall season numbers are alarming.
Atlanta has been rotating out Triple-A players in left field recently with Forrest Wall and Eli White. With the addition of Rosario, the Braves will be able to have options for now against right-handed pitchers. With the trade deadline approaching later this month, Alex Anthopoulos will have decisions to make once again for outfield depth. Braves fans are going to hope that their 2021 trade deadline move pans out again for a playoff run in 2024.
Photo Credit: © Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
