Braves acquire Jarred Kelenic from Mariners in five-player trade

Baseball

Published 04.12.2023

Braves acquire Jarred Kelenic from Mariners in five-player trade

SEATTLE (AP) — The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Jarred Kelenic, pitcher Marco Gonzales and infielder Evan White from the Seattle Mariners on Sunday evening for right-handed pitchers Cole Phillips and Jackson Kowar.

The transfer added a veteran lefty to the Braves pitching employees, together with Kelenic, who at one time was one among baseball’s high younger prospect. In the method, Seattle cleared a piece of wage off its payroll, giving up on Kelenic to ensure that the Braves to take the contracts of Gonzales and White.

Seattle is sending Atlanta money as a part of the commerce. Gonzales is owed $12 million for the 2024 season, whereas White has $17 million in assured cash remaining on his contract.

“As we continue to work through this offseason with a goal of improving our team for 2024 and beyond, we believe the additions of Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips, as well as the roster and payroll flexibility created tonight, will move us closer to that goal,” Seattle President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto stated in a press release.

Keep updated with the Blue Jays this low season

Sportstnet has your repair of the Toronto Blue Jays this winter, together with free company previews and evaluation, commerce targets, key signings and all of the enjoyable the low season brings.

News, evaluation and extra

.acf-block-preview .br-snippet {
show: grid;
grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
hole: 20px;
width: 100%;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 16px;
border: 1px strong #CECECE;
background-color: #FFF;
border-radius: 4px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info a {
text-decoration: none;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-title {
coloration: #343434;
font-family: ‘roboto’;
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: 600;
line-height: 22px;
margin-bottom: 10px;
high: -3px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-body {
coloration: #343434;
font-family: ‘urw-din’;
font-size: 16px;
line-height: 20px;
margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-link-title {
show: inline-block;
font-family: ‘urw-din’;
font-size: 16px;
list-style-type: none;
width: auto;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-link-title:not(:last-child):after ‘;
coloration: #343434;

Kelenic is the massive piece going to Atlanta within the deal. Once the prized prospect of the New York Mets group, Kelenic was traded to Seattle in December 2018 when the Mariners despatched Robinson Cano and Edwin Díaz to the Mets. At the time, Kelenic was one of many high prospects within the minors, however his transition to the majors has gone by tough patches.

Last season was Kelenic’s first prolonged stretch as a starter with the Mariners and even that season bumped into development issues when he missed nearly two months after fracturing his foot kicking a cooler within the dugout. Kelenic ended the season hitting .253 with 11 homers and 49 RBIs in 105 video games.

Gonzales was the longest tenured member of Seattle’s roster after being acquired by way of commerce from St. Louis in 2017. For some time, he was on the high of Seattle’s rotation earlier than struggling at instances the previous two seasons.

Gonzales, 31, began 148 sport over seven seasons with Seattle and had a 4.08 ERA throughout that point. Gonzales pitched in solely 10 video games final season earlier than present process surgical procedure to alleviate strain on a nerve in his left arm. He’s anticipated to be prepared for the beginning of spring coaching.

White, 27, has seen his profession outlined by accidents since agreeing to a $24 million, six-year contract in November 2019 earlier than his large league debut. He gained a Gold Glove in the course of the truncated 2020 season for his play at first base, however has not been capable of keep wholesome within the years since. White has not performed within the majors since showing in 30 video games within the 2021 season. He is owed $7 million subsequent 12 months and $8 million in 2025 plus a $2 million buyout of a 2026 membership choice.

Kowar, 27, has main league expertise and pitched in 23 video games as a reliever for Kansas City final season. But Phillips is the piece of the commerce that could possibly be helpful sooner or later for Seattle.

The 20-year-old was a second-round choose within the 2022 draft and was one of many high 10 prospects in Atlanta’s farm system though he has but to pitch in knowledgeable sport. Phillips underwent Tommy John surgical procedure previous to the 2022 draft and has but to make his skilled debut.

Braves common supervisor Alex Anthopoulos instructed Atlanta media on a convention name that the commerce completes his seek for a left fielder to exchange Eddie Rosario, whose $9 million membership choice was declined.

Kelencic will get an opportunity on the job together with infielder Vaughn Grissom, who will start studying to play outfield within the Puerto Rican winter league. Grissom has struggled defensively as a shortstop however proven promising offensive abilities, so the Braves are looking for a solution to get his bat within the lineup. The right-handed hitter may wind up in a left area platoon with Kelenic, who bats from the left facet, whereas additionally backing up within the center infield.

Gonzales gives one other back-end choice for a rotation that struggled to lock down a full complement of pitchers throughout an harm plagued 2023 season. The Braves additionally want to give free agent signee Reynaldo López a shot at beginning after he labored solely as a reliever the previous two seasons, although these plans may change if Anthopoulos is ready to purchase one other front-line starter to hitch a rotation that additionally contains Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Bryce Elder.