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Braves bring back Adam Duvall
Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

It took quite some time, but the Braves finally addressed their need for a fourth outfielder, and they did it in a way that will thrill the fans, inking Adam Duvall to a one-year, $3 million contract.

This is the move that always made the most sense for a plethora of reasons. Adam Duvall experienced the best season of his career in Atlanta, smacking a career-high 38 home runs in 2021 with a league-leading 113 RBIs, as he helped the Braves to their first World Series since 1995.

Plus, Adam Duvall is a right-handed bat that can platoon with Jarred Kelenic in left field. I still believe the Braves prefer to start Kelenic everyday because if he lives up to his potential, he could be the answer at the position for the next five years. Don’t expect that plan to change with Duvall in the fold, but if Kelenic struggles, particularly against left-handed pitching, Duvall can easily step in and provide immense value.

With the Red Sox last season, Adam Duvall hit 21 home runs with an .834 OPS in just 92 games. Even at 35-years-old, he remains an incredibly valuable power bat with plus defense. The Braves don’t have many holes on their roster, but they needed a fourth outfielder, and they patched up that hole with one of the best fourth outfielders in the game today.

The rich get richer in Atlanta. Is it Opening Day yet?

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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