If you have followed the Atlanta Braves for any appreciable amount of time, you likely have some strongly formed opinions on which opposing players to hate. Bryce Harper is a popular choice for many fans given that he is brash, has played in the Braves' division forever, and is unfortunately quite good. Pete Alonso is another guy who Atlanta fans truly enjoying booing at every opportunity. However, few opposing players have risen to the heights (depths?) of Jose Ureña.
It has been a few years since Ureña has been relevant as a baseball player, but that definitely wasn't the case a few years ago. After Ronald Acuña Jr. went on a warpath against the Marlins back in 2018, Ureña decided to take matters into his own hands and very obviously plunked Acuña Jr. on purpose leading to a lengthy scuffle between the two teams.
Benches clear in Marlins-Braves after José Ureña hits Ronald Acuña Jr. in 1st inning.
— MLB (@MLB) August 16, 2018
Acuña Jr. (5 straight games with HR, 3 straight with leadoff HR) exits in 2nd inning. pic.twitter.com/V2aSu97YEX
The fallout from the incident was swift. Acuña Jr. thankfully avoided serious injury and went on to win NL Rookie of the Year while Ureña was completely unapologetic and ended up getting suspended for his actions. He also permanently made Braves fans' enemies list which is relevant because the Mets just signed Ureña to a minor league deal.
Mets' botched offseason pitching plans have led to Braves' nemesis Jose Ureña returning
If we are looking at this move in a vacuum, it is honestly embarrassing for the Mets that they are having to turn to turn to a guy like Ureña in the first place. From 2019-2024, Ureña has averaged a 5.09 ERA across 119 appearances while battling ineffectiveness and injuries. Unfortunately for New York, they are dealing with injuries to Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea in their rotation which is forcing a less than ideal path to cover innings.
Aside from getting another chance to laugh at the Mets, the potential presence of Ureña is going to add fuel to what is already one of MLB's best rivalries right now. There is no guarantee that Ureña makes the Mets' roster because he kinda sucks and they have other options to cover the losses, but don't think for a second that the Braves or their fans have forgotten Ureña's actions despite them happening years ago.
One almost hopes that this signing ends up mattering. Baseball is more fun with true and worthy villains to root against. Mets are already an easy target and signing Juan Soto is going take things up a notch competitively. If the Braves and Mets are both still in it and Ureña is on the mound, prepare for some real fireworks.