It's been a quick start to the offseason for the Atlanta Braves since the World Series ended. Walt Weiss was named as the new manager, surprise coaching additions were made, and options were picked up/declined. This is just the beginning of a big offseason in Atlanta.
The Braves continued their work as they signed two familiar faces to bolster their pitching depth ahead of next season. On Saturday, we learned Atlanta signed Carlos Carrasco and Darius Vines to minor league contracts.
Braves reunite with Carlos Carrasco and Darius Vines on minor league deals
Both pitchers have reunited with Atlanta despite their previous stints not going well at all. Carrasco was acquired mid-season in 2025 after he was let go by the Yankees. The Braves had hoped he would eat some innings and provide them with some stability.
Unfortunately, that didn't happen as he had an atrocious 9.88 ERA over 13.2 innings with Atlanta. It was extremely hard to watch and eventually led to him being designated for assignment. Carrasco did eventually return to the organization on a minor league deal.
Vines was a former draft pick by the Braves in 2019 and made his MLB debut during the 2023 season. He pitched in nine combined games during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Over 34 innings, he had a 5.82 ERA with 11 walks and 23 strikeouts. He was particularly terrible in 2024 with an 8.56 ERA over 13 innings. This led to him eventually being outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he had a 5.14 ERA over 77 innings that season.
In 2025, he was with the organization but spent the season on the injured list with an undisclosed injury. So, 2026 will be his chance to prove he still has what it takes to be a professional pitcher.
Neither of these pitchers should be in the running for the starting rotation next season. If they are, something has gone terribly wrong. But Atlanta's front office has learned over the years that there can never be enough pitching depth.