(Atlanta) The Atlanta Braves, who continue their quest to strengthen their rotation, agreed on Monday to a three-year contract worth US 30 million to right-handed reliever Reynaldo Lopez.
This pact will allow Lopez to receive 4 million in 2024, and 11 million during the following two campaigns. The club will also have an option of 8 million for 2027, and a buyout clause of 4 million.
Lopez, 29, pitched for three teams in 2023. He was 3-7 with a 3.27 ERA and six saves in 68 appearances with the Chicago White Sox , the Los Angeles Angels and the Cleveland Guardians. He had 83 strikeouts in 66 innings of work — an average of 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, a career high — and his fastball averaged 98.2 mph.
The Braves, who posted a major league-high 104 wins last season, were eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series for a second straight year. They are trying to expand their roster, in hopes of being able to take another step in the playoffs.
The general manager of the Braves, Montrealer Alex Anthopoulos, has also freed up space on his payroll in the hope of possibly being able to add a renowned starting pitcher. He notably made a series of decisions that allowed him to cut 10 of the 40 players from the Braves’ regular lineup in recent weeks.
Aaron Nola seemed to be one of the candidates coveted by the Braves, but he instead accepted a seven-year deal to stay with the Phillies. Sonny Gray could be another pitcher coveted by Anthopoulos.
