According to the Braves’ official Twitter account, the team has signed outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2025 season. This low-risk move provides depth to Atlanta’s outfield as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.
De La Cruz, who will soon turn 28, is no stranger to the NL East, having spent the majority of his career with the Miami Marlins. Over four seasons in Miami, he transitioned from a part-time role to a regular spot in the Marlins’ lineup. During that span, De La Cruz posted a .263/.311/.420 slash line, hitting 37 home runs across 1,200 plate appearances. However, his production has been on a steady decline since his promising rookie season in 2021, where he posted a 111 wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus). That figure dropped to 99 in 2022, 90 in 2023, and just 77 last season.
In 2024, De La Cruz split time between the Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates. While he managed to hit 21 home runs, his overall performance was underwhelming, with a slash line of .233/.271/.384. His struggles at the plate, coupled with subpar defense, led the Pirates to non-tender him rather than paying an estimated $4 million in arbitration.
Despite these challenges, the Braves see potential value in the signing. De La Cruz has shown flashes of power but struggles with plate discipline, striking out frequently and rarely drawing walks. While his skill set is currently limited, Atlanta has a history of turning around players’ careers through adjustments and strategic coaching. If De La Cruz can refine his approach, he could become a valuable asset. Additionally, with team control through 2027 and two minor-league options remaining, he offers the Braves flexibility in how they manage his role.
The Braves face uncertainty in their outfield heading into 2025. While Michael Harris II is the only locked-in starter, Ronald Acuña Jr. is expected to miss at least the first six weeks of the season, and Jarred Kelenic still needs to prove he can be a consistent contributor. De La Cruz adds a potential option to the mix, but he is unlikely to be the team’s only acquisition. If he fails to impress during Spring Training, Atlanta can easily move on from the non-guaranteed deal.
With De La Cruz on board, the Braves still have significant work to do this offseason to solidify their outfield and maintain their competitive edge.
