The Atlanta Braves struck this offseason early with the move to trade Jorge Soler to the Angels for pitcher Griffin Canning. The Braves got some much needed salary relief and cleared out some of the clutter with their OF/DH situation and the Angels get a power bat that they hope will have a bounce back season in 2025. However, Braves fans have been far more eager to see what additions the team could make instead of just how they are going to cull the roster.
The Braves' offseason plans are now becoming more clear after they announced a pair of extensions on Saturday as both Aaron Bummer and Reynaldo Lopez agreed to new contracts with Atlanta.
The Braves gained more financial flexibility for next season. Players increased guaranteed $$$
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) November 2, 2024
Bummer gets $13M over 2 yrs instead of a chance for $14.75M via options.
Lopez’s ‘25 salary was to be $11M but now will be $8M. In exchange his $8M option for ‘27 is now guaranteed. https://t.co/SCXHlEDVVE
Braves lock up Aaron Bummer and Reynaldo Lopez on multi-year deals
For Atlanta, the calculus is simple. If they can take less of the sting off their 2025 payroll, they are willing to give these guys some more guaranteed money. Bummer had a club options at $7.25 million for each of the next two years and Lopez's original contract with the Braves had an $8 million club option for 2027. Under the new terms, Bummer will make less overall and significantly less ($3.5 million vs. $7.25 million) in 2025 had Atlanta exercised his option and Lopez is taking a minor 2025 pay cut in exchange for that last year of his deal becoming guaranteed.
Lopez looked like an absolute bargain when he did pitch in 2024 as he posted a 1.99 ERA in 26 appearances this past season, but a series of injuries derailed him in the closing months of the season. Atlanta is certainly taking a little bit more of a risk in guaranteeing Lopez another year given the health concerns, but it definitely helps that his 2025 payroll number comes down $3 million.
As for Bummer, many wondered if Atlanta would just decline his club option for 2025 altogether. While Bummer's numbers were perfectly reasonable overall, his appearances had a tendency to turn into unpleasant adventures which made his future with the Braves unclear. It's possible that Atlanta felt the same way and would have let him go unless he agreed to more favorable terms for next season.
The Braves have now culled a nice chunk of money from their 2025 payroll in the first few days of the offseason. As to how they will spend that money, that is a mystery that will be revealed in the coming weeks and months.