Atlanta Braves officially decline Brad Hand's 2024 option, making him a free agent
The Atlanta Braves announced today on social media that they have declined their portion of a $7M mutual option for reliever Brad Hand, making him a free agent. Atlanta will pay a $500k buyout.
Hand, 33, was acquired by the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline from the Colorado Rockies for minor leaguer Alex Barger. Hand put up a 4.54 ERA and 3-1 record across his 40 appearances for Colorado, but unlike bullpen-mate Pierce Johnson, Hand was worse with Atlanta - 2-2 record and a 7.50 ERA in his twenty appearances.
Hand's contract signed with Colorado originally included a $7M team option that was going to convert to a mutual option if Hand finished 25 games in 2023. He didn't, finishing only 15, but there was another clause that vested the option as a mutual option if he was traded during the season.
Hand's struggles after the trade made the decision to decline the $7M option easy for Atlanta - they've already committed almost $35M to their bullpen in 2024, putting them in the top five in all of baseball both in total dollars and as a percentage of payroll. There may be another signing or two for the relief corps, but reclamation projects and low dollar signings are more likely than a large salary.
That doesn't bode well for Atlanta's other two club options left over in the bullpen - Kirby Yates has a $5.75M club option with a $1.25M buyout, while Collin McHugh has a $6M club option with $1M buyout.
Important Braves Today Offseason Stories
2023 MLB Free Agent Rankings
Current Atlanta Braves prospect rankings
Current Atlanta Braves 40-man roster
Key offseason dates for the Atlanta Braves
2023 Atlanta Braves Club options
Projecting the 2024 Atlanta Braves' arbitration salaries
Check out Braves Today on Socials!
Follow Braves Today on Twitter!
Like Braves Today on Facebook!
Check out the homepage for more Atlanta Braves News!
Subscribe to Braves Today on YouTube!
Get Exclusive Braves Merchandise from FOCO