Daily News 19

Tag: Atlanta Braves

  • Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. Free Agency Has $17 Million Catch

    Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. Free Agency Has $17 Million Catch

    Braves Face Key Contract Decisions as Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies Approach Free Agency

    The Atlanta Braves have significant roster decisions looming once the 2026 season concludes. Multiple franchise cornerstones, including Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies, are technically scheduled to hit free agency. However, the likelihood of either player actually reaching the open market appears extremely low.

    Albies’ Club Option a Near Certainty

    Albies carries a $7 million club option for the 2027 season, a figure the Braves will almost certainly exercise. The second baseman signed a seven-year, $35 million extension prior to the 2019 campaign, a deal that has provided the club with immense surplus value relative to his on-field production.

    Acuña’s Contract Structure Strongly Favors Atlanta

    Acuña’s situation mirrors Albies’ in many ways, though the financial stakes are higher. The superstar outfielder’s current contract includes a $17 million club option for the 2027 season. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, writing in a new article published Thursday, that option falls under the category “likely to be picked up by the team”—an assessment that barely scratches the surface of the Braves’ incentive.

    Signed before the 2019 season for eight years and $100 million, Acuña’s deal was structured around long-term financial security for the player in exchange for a contract that risked looking team-friendly by its conclusion. Atlanta has received an extraordinary return on that investment, and the value proposition is far from exhausted.

    Two Option Years Remain at Below-Market Rates

    Beyond the 2027 option, Acuña’s contract contains a second club option for 2028, also valued at $17 million. Effectively, the Braves have secured Acuña’s prime years at a fraction of his fair-market value for the entirety of the agreement. While Acuña has earned life-changing generational wealth, the deal remains one of the most team-friendly contracts in modern baseball history.

    Injury History Adds Complexity to Long-Term Outlook

    The current contract carries Acuña through his age-30 season. Assuming Atlanta exercises both option years, he would be positioned for a potentially massive free-agent payday heading into the 2029 campaign. However, his future valuation carries more uncertainty than most elite players due to a career significantly impacted by injuries.

    Acuña runs considerably less than he did earlier in his career, a direct consequence of his health history. Front offices around the league will closely monitor his performance and durability over the next two seasons before committing to a long-term investment in his 30s.

    Atlanta Remains the Logical Landing Spot

    Even if Acuña eventually reaches free agency, the Braves would be considered heavy favorites to retain him. However, should he return to peak form, a competitive bidding war would be inevitable.

    Acuña Focused on Finishing 2026 Strong

    For now, Acuña is concentrated on the present. Through 94 games in the 2026 season, he has posted 16 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and a .780 OPS. While those numbers fall short of his historic peak, a strong finish to the regular season and a productive October would validate the Braves’ continued faith in their franchise player.

  • Braves Load Up on Right-Handed Batters Against Nick Martinez, Rays

    Braves Load Up on Right-Handed Batters Against Nick Martinez, Rays

    Braves Lineup Shakeup vs. Rays: Platoon Logic Questioned

    The Atlanta Braves appear to be chasing platoon advantages that the underlying numbers don’t clearly support. In a move that echoes recent roster decisions, manager Brian Snitker has loaded the lineup with right-handed bats against Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Martín Pérez, benching left-handed hitters Sean Murphy, Ozzie Albies, and Mike Yastrzemski in favor of Lane Thomas, Brewer Hicklen, and Ha-Seong Kim.

    Nick Martinez Platoon Splits Analyzed

    Facing Braves right-hander Nick Martinez, the Tampa Bay lineup features added right-handed options Ryan Vilade and Nick Madrigal, though left-handed hitters Chandler Simpson and Cedric Mullins remain in the nine.

    A wide view of Martinez’s 2026 season statistics reveals a muddy platoon picture. Left-handed batters have posted a .283 wOBA against him, while right-handers sit at .310. Expected ERA (xERA) backs that split: 3.78 vs. lefties, 4.89 vs. righties.

    However, fielding-independent metrics tell a different story. Martinez has a 3.96 FIP and 4.50 xFIP against left-handed hitters, nearly identical to his 3.94 FIP and 4.45 xFIP against right-handers. “He seems more platoon-neutral than anything else.”

    Considering that Lane Thomas himself performs worse against right-handed pitching, the strategic rationale is questionable. As the author noted, “I’m not a huge fan of this, but whatever.”

    Career Trends Support Neutral Profile

    Expanding the lens to Martinez’s full career reinforces the platoon-neutral conclusion. His career wOBA-against is within .001 between left- and right-handed batters. His career xERA is marginally lower against lefties (4.19 to 4.39), while FIP (4.53 vs. 4.45) and xFIP (4.66 vs. 4.49) show only a marginal split in the expected direction.

    “So, I wouldn’t do this, but the Braves are.”

    Rays Counter with Right-Handed Bats

    On the other side, the Rays are presenting Pérez with a few extra right-handed looks. The lineup construction mirrors Atlanta’s approach, though Tampa Bay retains left-handed regulars Simpson and Mullins.

    Batter-vs-Pitcher History: Familiarity on Both Sides

    Historical matchups add another layer, though the sample sizes remain small. Every Braves batter except Hicklen and Drake Baldwin has faced Martinez at least twice. Matt Olson leads the group with 19 plate appearances and a dominant .508 wOBA / .384 xwOBA. Austin Riley, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Mauricio Dubón have also produced strong results in limited chances. Collectively, Atlanta’s active roster owns a .351 wOBA / .336 xwOBA in 53 PAs against Martinez.

    The Rays’ familiarity with Pérez is comparable. Six of their nine hitters have faced the veteran lefty. Yandy Díaz owns 32 career PAs with a .468 wOBA / .358 xwOBA. Mullins has struggled, posting roughly a .210-.220 wOBA/xwOBA in 14 PAs. As a group, Tampa Bay’s lineup carries a .364 wOBA / .316 xwOBA across 64 PAs against Pérez.

    “Collectively, it’s 64 PAs with a .364 wOBA / .316 xwOBA, so basically there’s a similar level of familiarity and performance in that sample by both of these teams against the scheduled starter.”

  • Braves Sign Eric Haase

    Braves Sign Eric Haase

    The Atlanta Braves have added veteran catcher Eric Haase on a minor league contract, a move finalized on September 1 that keeps him postseason-eligible should the club need emergency depth behind the plate.

    Haase Assigned to Florida Complex; Postseason Eligibility Secured

    According to the MLB.com transaction tracker, the deal was submitted to the league office on September 1. Provided it was filed by the noon deadline, Haase qualifies for Atlanta’s postseason roster. However, the Braves’ October catching plans remain anchored by Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy, making Haase’s activation unlikely barring an injury.

    Current Catching Depth Chart

    Atlanta’s 40-man roster lists only Baldwin and Murphy as catchers. Kyle Farmer occupies a roster spot as a utility infielder and emergency third catcher, though he has not caught in a major league game in seven years; he did make five appearances behind the plate at Double-A this season.

    In the upper minors, Triple-A Gwinnett’s healthy non-roster backstops are Chuckie Robinson and Maverick Handley. Jair Camargo and Sandy León are also in the organization but are currently sidelined—León is on the 60-day injured list and is almost certainly finished for the year.

    Haase’s 2024 Journey: Three Organizations, Limited Production

    Haase, 31, has now suited up for three clubs this season. He began the year on a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants, earned an Opening Day roster spot, and logged 84 plate appearances over a few months. His line with San Francisco: .162/.235/.365 with four home runs and a 33.3% strikeout rate.

    The Giants released him shortly after the All-Star break. He then joined the Chicago White Sox on a minor league pact, appearing briefly at Triple-A before requesting and receiving his release in mid-August. In that short stint, Haase showed some of the raw power that produced a 22-home-run season for Detroit in 2021.

    Scouting Profile: Power Potential, Defensive Questions

    Haase profiles as a low-average, high-strikeout catcher with occasional over-the-fence pop. His receiving metrics have graded below average, limiting his overall defensive value. For Atlanta, he represents a veteran insurance policy—an experienced option who can step in if the roster is thinned by injury during a playoff run.

  • Reynaldo López to go on injured list after short start in Braves loss

    Reynaldo López to go on injured list after short start in Braves loss

    Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss announced after Monday night’s 7-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs that starting pitcher Reynaldo López will be placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort. The move comes with just 11 regular-season games remaining as Atlanta works to protect a 4½-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.

    López’s Injury History and Recent Struggles

    López was chased during the third inning after allowing five runs and six hits over three innings. The right-hander has posted a 4.54 ERA across 79⅓ innings this season. His arm began bothering him during the final two months of the 2024 season, and he made just one start before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in 2025.

    Weiss explained the decision to sideline López, citing inconsistent physical feelings throughout the campaign.

    “He said he’s had some good days and bad days throughout the year,” Weiss said. “Sometimes he hasn’t felt it at all, and then sometimes he does. So we’ve got to change course here.”

    López described the sensation as discomfort rather than sharp pain.

    “It’s not really pain so much,” López said. “It’s just something that doesn’t feel great.”

    Rotation Depth Tested Again

    The Braves’ starting pitching depth has been a recurring concern dating back to the offseason. Spring Training losses of Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep, followed by Spencer Strider’s season-ending elbow injury in June, intensified the need for reinforcement ahead of the Trade Deadline.

    With López now sidelined, only Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes, and Martín Pérez remain as established starters expected to factor into postseason plans. Weiss acknowledged the challenge but expressed confidence in internal options.

    “Luckily we have options,” Weiss said. “We have guys stretched out. We have some guys we can go to.”

    Ritchie and Smith-Shawver Step Up

    Weiss confirmed that right-hander JR Ritchie will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Cubs. AJ Smith-Shawver, who pitched five innings of relief in Monday’s loss, also enters the mix as a potential multi-inning option or spot starter.

    Smith-Shawver entered in the fourth inning and retired eight of the first nine batters he faced, including seven consecutive outs before Carson Kelly’s single preceded Pete Crow-Armstrong’s two-run homer in the sixth. The 23-year-old allowed four hits, walked three, and struck out two over five innings.

    “AJ did exactly what we needed him to do,” Weiss said. “He covered the rest of the game and did it competitively.”

    Smith-Shawver’s Role Evolution

    After returning from Tommy John surgery in late July, Smith-Shawver posted a 7.71 ERA in five starts, removing him from postseason rotation consideration. The Braves shifted him to the bullpen this week to evaluate his fit as a multi-inning reliever, though he may now be needed for at least one start before the regular season concludes.

    The young right-hander embraced the role change.

    “The way some of my starts have been going, I think it’s good to just get a little different feel, a little different look at it,” Smith-Shawver said. “I was happy with it. I’ve done it before, so I’m comfortable with it. At the end of the day, I’m just here to try to put the team in a good position and just try to win games.”

    Postseason Implications

    As Atlanta navigates its final 11 games, the organization must balance immediate rotation needs with October preparation. Smith-Shawver’s emergence as a viable bullpen weapon adds flexibility, while Ritchie’s debut represents the next test of the club’s farm system depth. The Braves’ ability to weather yet another pitching setback will likely determine whether they secure the NL East crown and enter the playoffs with a rested, aligned staff.

  • Jesús Luzardo throws shutout vs. Braves

    Jesús Luzardo throws shutout vs. Braves

    Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski enters the conversation as the frontrunner for the National League Cy Young Award, yet Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo is mounting a compelling late-season charge to secure a top-three finish.

    Luzardo Delivers Career-First Shutout Against Atlanta

    Luzardo authored a masterful performance in Monday afternoon’s 1-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park, recording the first shutout of his major-league career. The southpaw dominated across nine innings, striking out 12 batters while issuing just a single walk.

    Series Split Keeps Phillies in Contention

    The victory allowed Philadelphia to split the critical four-game series against the division-leading Braves. Atlanta maintains a four-game advantage over the Phillies in the National League East with 18 games remaining on the schedule. Luzardo’s outing improved his season record to 14-5 and lowered his earned run average to 2.87.

    Schwarber’s Solo Shot Provides Lone Run Support

    Kyle Schwarber’s solo home run to right field in the eighth inning proved to be the decisive blow, providing the only run Luzardo would require on a day when the Phillies’ offense managed just enough to support their ace’s historic outing.

  • Rockies Rookie Cole Carrigg Disciplined for Obscene Gesture Toward Fans

    Cole Carrigg, one of the National League’s top rookies in 2026, will miss at least the Colorado Rockies’ Sunday, Aug. 30 game against the Atlanta Braves after making an inappropriate gesture toward Braves fans during Saturday’s loss.

    Rockies bench Cole Carrigg after gesture toward Braves fans

    The 24-year-old infielder and outfielder made a diving attempt on a Michael Harris II fly ball in the seventh inning Saturday but narrowly missed a spectacular catch when the ball deflected off the top of his glove. Two runs scored on the play, giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead that held for the victory.

    As Braves fans celebrated the pivotal play, Carrigg turned his back toward the center-field crowd and made an obscene gesture in their direction. The following morning, Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer announced that Carrigg would be benched for Sunday’s series finale and possibly the beginning of Colorado’s upcoming home series against Baltimore.

    “Cole made a mistake – he knows that is an embarrassment to the organization and that we don’t stand for that,” Schaeffar said Sunday, per MLB.com. “Listen, everybody makes mistakes. It’s just one that he has to learn from. It’s just that we will not put up with that here.”

    “So he is going to sit a couple days, because he’s a guy that wants to play every day. That’s the repercussions of this.”

    Colorado Rockies tickets: Buy tickets to see the Colorado Rockies this season.

    Carrigg apologizes for incident

    Carrigg made his major league debut June 9 and has established a reputation as a hard-nosed player. Earlier this season, he was involved in a brief altercation with Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing after scoring a go-ahead run in the 10th inning.

    “First, I apologize to my teammates and the organization – that’s not how I want to represent us,” Carrigg told reporters in Atlanta. “That’s inexcusable on my part.”

    “With that being said, I’m somebody who’s going to play at 110% every game and give my all to this team and to the game to try to win ballgames. That was a play that I felt could or could not have won the game, so I’m very passionate about that.”

    “Braves fans are pretty passionate themselves. Kudos to them. But that can’t happen.”

    Carrigg can play both shortstop and center field. This season, he has recorded a .345 on-base percentage and a .789 OPS, including a 106 adjusted OPS, for Colorado. He has also hit six home runs and stolen eight bases in 11 attempts.

    His rise to the majors came over three years after the Rockies selected him in the second round of the 2023 draft. Carrigg was a high school teammate of Athletics slugger Tyler Soderstrom and expected to reach the majors as he progressed through amateur and professional baseball.

    “You get to college and do it. You get to the minors and do it,” he told USA TODAY Sports last week. “Each step prepares you and if you look at it with the right state of mind, you can tell yourself, ‘I’ve done it with these guys before, I’ve seen these guys in college. Why not me?’”