Jeff Francoeur is pushing the Braves to make this offseason move

The Atlanta Braves need to make some calculated moves this offseason if they want to have a stronger 2025 season. A former Braves knew exactly what he had to do.

Jeff Francoeur joined Foul Territory to talk about the Braves' offseason. He said teams' priority must be a shortstop and one of the best options available.

If they got this key bat, they would gain some serious firepower.

“You need an elite shortstop, whether it’s Bo Bichette or Willy Adames,” Francoeur said. “You have to get someone who has the power in that position. If you can do that, you have one of the deepest lineups in baseball when everyone is healthy.”

This is a big problem after last season. For the Braves, almost every notable name in the lineup missed significant time: Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider, many of them.

Francoeur admitted health was one of the main reasons they struggled last season. But the position that was healthy all season and contributed the least offensively was shortstop.

Orlando Arcia was statistically the worst hitter with runners in scoring position among qualified hitters in 2024. He hit .155/.228/.172 – all three numbers in that slash line were the worst in MLB.

When guys are injured, a team can't afford for the healthy guys not to contribute. It's what costs you your entry-level job. Arcia plays great defense and that has kept him in coverage. But Bichette and Adames both play well enough on defense that their sticks can take priority.

But there could also be a need in other places. For example, starting pitchers Max Fried and Charlie Morton will be free agents this offseason. It doesn't look good for either of them to come back.

Francoeur understands that argument, but he believes the Braves' rotation will be just fine.

“You can sit there and say pitching,” Francoeur said. “But you're going to have (Reynaldo) Lopez. “You're going to have (Chris) Sale. You're going to have (Spencer) Strider, and you're going to have Spencer Wechselbach. Maybe you get a guy for $8.9 million, but you don’t have to get a top guy.”

He also likes the Braves bullpen. “They may have to get a left-handed hitter if AJ Minter doesn't re-sign,” he added, “but nothing should take priority over the big hitter at shortstop.”