Braves agree to contract with ex-Phillies, Astros star reliever
Braves agree to contract with ex-Phillies, Astros star reliever
The Atlanta Braves and Ken Giles are reportedly in agreement on a minor league contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. The deal includes an MLB spring training invite and if Giles makes the team to open the season, he can make $1.75 million.
Brian Snitker and the Braves did not waste time after their Phillies loss and immediately made a move on Pierce Johnson to help Austin Riley.
Atlanta continues to add players with intriguing upside. Sure, they acquired star pitcher Chris Sale in a trade with the Boston Red Sox this offseason. For the most part, though, the offseason has seen Atlanta sign players for depth purposes.
Notching the best record in the NL East can sure make any team feel good about a possible World Series run. This was not at all the case for Austin Riley and the Atlanta Braves.
Given Atlanta’s incredible 2023 season, where they finished the regular season with MLB’s best record, this is an understandable strategy. The Braves are hoping that improved depth can lead to a better result in October, as they were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the ’23 MLB playoffs.
Ken Giles was once one of the best relievers in baseball, though. He’s surprisingly never been an All-Star, but previously established himself as a trusted closer.
The team had come off a generational 104-win season with a 64.2% winning percentage. Brian Snitker’s squad looked ready for postseason contention. But, everything crumbled around them once Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies started heating up and demolishing their title hopes.
