Recapping the Atlanta Braves' extremely active and intriguing offseason
The Atlanta Braves have brought in numerous new faces so far this offseason.
Ever since the offseason began back in November, the Atlanta Braves have been an active team, as they have brought in numerous new faces via free agency and trades. So, as the calendar begins to flip to February with Spring Training inching closer, let's take a look back at the Braves' additions you need to know about up to this point in the offseason. As well as take a peak at what each's potential impact in 2024 might be to start the year.
Recapping the Atlanta Braves offseason additions so far
LHP Chris Sale
Arguably the Braves biggest offseason addition up to this point via trade has been Sale, a seven-time All-Star who was acquired in late December from the Boston Red Sox for Vaughn Grissom and cash. Coming off a year in which he held a 4.30 ERA and 125:29 K/BB ratio across 102.2 IP, the veteran left-hander is likely to play a role in Atlanta's starting rotation from day one this season.
No. 99 trusts in AA.
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) January 30, 2024
Spencer Strider believes in the offseason moves made by Alex Anthopoulos. pic.twitter.com/7lz3tYzqHs
OF Jarred Kelenic
Acquired alongside Marco Gonzales and Evan White, both of whom are no longer in the organization, Kelenic joined Atlanta back in early December via trade with the Seattle Mariners as part of a multi-player deal that sent Cole Phillips and Jackson Kowar out west. Coming off a season in which he had a .253/.327/.419 slash line with 11 HR, 49 RBI, and 13 SB, the 24-year-old likely enters Spring Training as Atlanta's starter in left field.
RHP Reynaldo Lopez
Likely the Braves biggest free agent signing up to this point has been Lopez, whom Atlanta signed to a multi-year deal back in mid-November. The 30-year-old right-hander is coming off a season where he held a combined 3.27 ERA and 83:34 K/BB ratio with three different teams and will begin the 2024 campaign either as a member of the Braves bullpen or rotation. Where he lands depends on his performance this Spring.
LHP Aaron Bummer
One of Atlanta's first impact moves of the offseason came back on November 16 when the Braves acquired Bummer, a veteran left-handed reliever from the Chicago White Sox in a trade that would send five players to the AL Central club, headlined by right-hander Michael Soroka. Bummer is still likely to be a day-one member of the Braves bullpen this season, even despite coming off a down 2023 in which he held a 6.79 ERA and 78:36 K/BB ratio across 58.1 IP.
SS/2B David Fletcher
Fletcher, who has spent the last six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, was acquired back in early December as part of a multi-player deal. The veteran infielder, who slashed .247/.302/.326 a year ago across 33 games, was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett a few days after being acquired via trade, and will likely begin the 2024 campaign with the Stripers. Atlanta likely will give him the Orlando Arcia treatment and let him focus on fixing his swing.
2B/3B Luis Guillorme
A familiar name to Braves' fans due to his time with the New York Mets, Atlanta signed Guillorme back on January 5. A utility infielder who slashed .224/.288/.327 a year ago across 54 games, Guillorme will likely compete for a bench spot in Spring Training and will start the season in either Atlanta or Triple-A Gwinnett. Travis d'Arnaud mentioned during Braves Fest 2024 that he enjoyed having Guillorme as a teammate in New York so he's excited for Luis to get another shot with Atlanta.
OF J.P. Martinez
One of Atlanta's more recent moves, the Braves acquired Martinez in a trade that sent Tyler Owens to the Texas Rangers back on January 26. Martinez made his MLB debut with Texas a year ago slashing .225/.250/.325 across 17 games, and could very easily play a bench role in Atlanta early in the year.
OF Jordan Luplow
A veteran outfielder, Luplow signed a minor league deal with the Braves on January 10. Luplow slashed .208/.322/.325 a year ago across 39 games in the major leagues and was assigned to Triple-A on the same day that Atlanta signed him.
RHP Penn Murfee
Murfee, a right-handed pitcher, was originally claimed off waivers by Atlanta back on November 14 from the New York Mets, and despite electing free agency shortly after, would sign with the Braves as a free agent later that month. The reliever owned a 1.29 ERA and 16:10 K/BB ratio across 14 IP in the major leagues a year ago and is likely to compete for a bullpen spot in Spring Training.
LHP Angel Perdomo
The Braves claimed Perdomo off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates back on November 6, and the left-hander was signed as a free agent nearly a month later. Coming off a season in which he held a 3.72 ERA and 44:11 K/BB ratio across 29 IP, the left-hander will miss all of the 2024 season rehabbing from Tommy John so he won't be a factor for Atlanta until 2025.
RHP Jackson Stephens
A familiar face to Braves' fans, Stephens was brought back by Atlanta as a free agent on November 30. Stephens, who was a key member of Atlanta's 2022 bullpen, had only 12 innings pitched a year ago in the big leagues, and will likely compete for a bullpen spot this Spring.
3B/RHP Charlie Culberson
Another familiar face to Braves' fans, Atlanta brought back Culberson on a minor league deal back on January 12, with the veteran infielder reportedly set to enter Spring Training as a reliever. Culberson owns a career of 1.23 ERA and 1:3 K/BB ratio across 7.1 IP. He recently sat down for a conversation on MLB Network to discuss the decision to
OF Leury Garcia
A veteran outfielder who did not see any MLB action a year ago, the Braves signed Garcia to a minor league deal back on December 5. Garcia last saw action in the big leagues with the White Sox in 2022 and was assigned to Triple-A the same day he was signed with Atlanta. He could serve in a 4th outfielder role if the team feels satisfied with his performance in the Spring.
OF/3B Luke Williams
After spending time with Atlanta during the 2023 season, the Braves brought back Williams on a minor league deal on November 18. Assigned to Triple-A that same day, Williams appeared in seven games with the Braves last season.
SS Andrew Velazquez
Coming off a year in which he slashed .173/.264/.284 across 54 games with the Los Angeles Angels, Velazquez was signed by the Braves to a minor league deal on November 24. A player who also spent time in the Braves organization late last season, Velazquez was assigned to Triple-A a few days later.
In addition to those names, here are a few additional moves that the Braves have made this offseason that could be potential names to know: RHP Grant Holmes, RHP Tommy Doyle, RHP Taylor Widener, LHP Ray Kerr, 2B/SS Yolbert Sanchez.
There certainly isn't a shortage of moves made by Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta front office during this offseason. Any one of the players mentioned could become a factor for the 2024 season.
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