The Atlanta Braves are expected to decline their club option on left fielder Eddie Rosario in what is the right decision for Atlanta. Atlanta's GM has far more hits than misses and Rosario was key in bringing this team their first World Series since the 1995 season. Rosario will forever have a special place in this team's history.
However, it is fair to point out that the Braves chose to keep the wrong outfielder after their World Series run. Whether it was Jorge Soler or Joc Pederson out of the three pieces Atlanta added to fuel their World Series run, it was the wrong decision to keep Rosario.
Why now is the time for the Atlanta Braves to let Eddie Rosario go
The outfielder has had great moments with the franchise but is continuing to live off of World Series memories. It was clearly time for a change and perhaps time to revisit bringing back one of the other options.
What Atlanta accomplished with Rosario simply couldn't be re-captured and the decision to move on was the right one. Atlanta needs to bring in more power to the bottom of the lineup and a more consistent presence in left field.
With their season on the line against the Philadelphia Phillies, it was Kevin Pillar that the team often felt more comfortable turning to. Atlanta needs to bring in at least two fresh faces in the outfield to provide depth and start alongside Michael Harris and Ronald Acuna Jr.
This team will forever be grateful for what Rosario provided, but you simply cannot continue to bring Rosario back hoping to re-capture what was. Rosario's legacy with the team is forever cemented as we now turn the page and look to build another title contender around a lineup that looks poised to yet again be one of the best in the league in 2023. The question now for the Braves is who will step into left field in the 2024 season?