The Atlanta Braves have needed to add a lefty reliever to their bullpen and many fans were hopeful it would be Tanner Scott. Rumors swirled that the Braves were in on Scott but after it was all said and done he, like many free agents lately, signed with the Dodgers on a four-year, $72 million contract.
Atlanta doesn't have many options for a back-end reliever after A.J. Minter signed with the Mets and Joe Jimenez out for the season due to injury. The Braves have been adding depth in their minor league system all offseason. There is pitching depth but they still need an impact arm to set up Raisel Iglesias.
The team did sign another reliever but it isn't the splashy move everyone has wanted. It was announced on Monday that the Braves signed Chasen Shreve to a minor league deal for 2025. Shreve will be invited to spring training and earn $1.3 million should he make the MLB roster.
Chasen Shreve to Braves. Minors deal. $1.3M if in Majors. Spring invite.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 20, 2025
Braves sign Chasen Shreve on a minor league deal
If the name sounds familiar, that's because Shreve actually made his MLB debut with the Braves in 2014. The lefty reliever only appeared in 15 games with Atlanta that season and pitched to a 0.73 ERA over 12.1 innings.
He and David Carpenter were traded that offseason to the Yankees for Manny Banuelos. That trade didn't work out as Banuelos was released in 2016. Shreve has since pitched for the Yankees, Cardinals, Mets, Pirates, Tigers, Reds, and Rockies.
The journeyman reliever only pitched in one big league game with the Rockies in 2024. He spent the majority of the season within their minor league system. Shreve appeared in 34.1 innings between three levels and had a 2.62 ERA with 12 walks and 35 strikeouts.
His last full big league season was with the Tigers and Reds in 2023. The Las Vegas native had a 4.63 ERA with 14 walks, 45 strikeouts. So, he isn't a game changer for the Braves but he would be an available left-handed option if needed.