BREAKING: Atlanta trades for Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, and Evan White from Seattle
The Atlanta Braves have made the first (and biggest) move of the MLB Winter Meetings.
The Braves have struck a deal with the Seattle Mariners that will see Atlanta acquire three players: Outfielder Jarred Kelenic, left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales and first baseman Evan White.
The Braves are giving up right-handed pitchers Cole Phillips, one of their top prospects, and Jackson Kowar, who was recently acquired from Kansas City, to Seattle in the deal. Phillips, Atlanta's 2nd round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, has Tommy John surgery in April of last year and had not yet officially debuted for Atlanta in minor league competition prior to the deal.
The move amounts to a salary dump for Seattle, who already traded Eugenio Suarez to Arizona this offseason to lower their payroll by $11M for 2024, and they can expect to save an additional $20M in 2024 payroll commitments through this trade.
OF Jarred Kelenic
LHP Marco Gonzales
1B Evan White
So, what now?
After the trade, Alex Anthopoulos has indicated to local media that the team's probably done addressing left field, with both Kelenic and Vaughn Grissom in the mix (and Grissom available for infield work, as well). Atlanta's potentially still interested in a starter, if the right deal manifests, but tonight's trade will go a long way towards finalizing the significant parts of the roster for the 2024 season.
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