The Atlanta Braves made a series of moves to an additional $22.25 million in payroll to add David Fletcher and Jarred Kelenic to the roster. While Kelenic will only earn around $770k, Fletcher comes with a $7 million price tag. Additionally, the Braves balance book (remember those?) looks something like this:
- Atlanta Braves cost of acquiring David Fletcher and Jarred Kelenic
- Where does Vaughn Grissom fit in after additions of Kelenic and Fletcher?
- Atlanta Braves: Bottom line on the math
- More from House That Hank Built
Atlanta Braves cost of acquiring David Fletcher and Jarred Kelenic
David Fletcher: $6 million
Jarred Kelenic: $770K
Cash to Pirates for Marco Gonzales: $9.25 million
Cash to White Sox for Max Stassi: $6.26 million
Cash from Mariners for Evan White/Marco Gonzales: -$4.5 million
2024 net cost of adding Fletcher & Kelenic: $17.78 million
The Braves could have just kept Eddie Rosario for $9 million in 2024. So, what does it tell you that they have added a net of nearly $18 million in 2024 for David Fletcher and Jarred Kelenic? A few things stand out to me.
Braves fans might remember this one… pic.twitter.com/r1UKJjtqi8
— kenz (@mackenzi_dugan) December 5, 2023
They love Kelenic's upside and believe in him. Kelenic has five years of team control as he enters his final pre-arbitration year.
They wanted insurance on Orlando Arcia in case he reverts to the guy who posted a 72 OPS+ over six years in Milwaukee. Read: Why David Fletcher could overtake Orlando Arcia in 2024.
On the next slide, I'll explore where Vaughn Grissom fits into the plans for 2024.