Braves News: Atlanta trades Gonzales, inside past Fried extension talks , and more
By Chase Owens
The Atlanta Braves have been one of the busier teams at the Winter Meetings thus far. That continued last night when Marco Gonzales was traded to the Pirates, along with cash, for a player to be named later. The Braves recently acquired Gonzales in the deal that also brought Jared Kelenic to Atlanta.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring left-handed starter Marco Gonzales in a trade from the Atlanta Braves, sources tell ESPN. The Braves will send cash to the Pirates and receive a player to be named later.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 6, 2023
It hasn't yet been reported how much cash Atlanta will be sending over to Pittsburg to cover part of Gonzales' salary, but I wouldn't imagine it isn't much more than the $4.5 million the Braves just got from Seattle in their transaction.
Fried extension talks stalled before 2023 season
Some other big news to come out of the Winter Meetings yesterday was Justin Toscano's report on Max Fried and any possible contract extension talks. Toscano reported that the Braves had conversations with Fried's agent on a possible extension before the 2023 season began, but those talks stalled, indicating something many Braves felt they already knew.
Fried is almost certainly a lock to head to free agency at the end of the 2024 season, and should command a big payday. The knowledge of that has put the pressure on the Braves front office to find a pitcher ready to fill that void THIS offseason. Thus, the reason the Braves were reportedly in on Nola, and have seen their name circle in the Dylan Cease rumor mill.
Anthopoulos shuts down rumors
Obviously during December it's easy for fans' (and writers for that matter) to get lost in what tweets and statements have truth to them, and which ones are completely false. Braves GM, Alex Anthopoulos, cleared up some of that discrepancy today with his statements.
Good stuff from #Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos on specific targets for Atlanta in the offseason.
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) December 5, 2023
"Anyone speculating anything beyond that, somebody decided to make stuff up." pic.twitter.com/Y8JnrDGII8
AA said the Braves made targets of Aaron Bummer, and Jared Kelenic and were successful in their pursuit of them. Anthopoulos also stated that they have been engaged in the market for starting pitching in both free agency and trade. However, any rumor of desire for any other position player is to be regarded as fraudulent according to Anthopoulos.
Of course a lot of this discourse came out today with some being unhappy about how Ohtani and his camp prefer to keep their free agency talks under wraps. Truly, a weird thing to be upset about, but if that is really something important to Ohtani then perhaps the recent statements from the Braves GM is music to his ears.
Pair of 2023 bullpen arms sign with new teams
Last bit of Braves news to round up from yesterday is the official departure of a couple of bullpen arms from 2023. The first is Kirby Yates, who according to Ken Rosenthal is in agreement with the Texas Rangers on a one-year deal for the 2024 season.
Yates had an up and down couple of seasons with Atlanta, but overall he pitched to a 3.48 ERA in just over 67 innings for the Braves. Atlanta had the option to bring him back for 2024, but rather than pick up his $5.75 million option, they elected to buyout his contract for $1.25 million.
Free-agent reliever Kirby Yates in agreement with Rangers on one-year contract, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2023
The last is the Braves long-man from last year RHP Michael Tonkin. He has signed a one year split contract with the New York Mets. Tonkin actually threw the most innings of any reliver for the Braves last season at 80.
RHP Michael Tonkin has agreed to a Major League deal with the Mets, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 6, 2023
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