NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jarred Kelenic has not lived as much as the nice expectations that surrounded him when he was the highest prospect the Mets used to accumulate Robinson Canó and Edwin Díaz from the Mariners after the 2018 season.
However the Braves are relying on him to learn from the chance he’ll get subsequent yr whereas trying to fill their left-field void.
The Braves opened the MLB Winter Conferences by finishing a five-player commerce with the Mariners on Sunday night time. They acquired Kelenic, left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales and first baseman Evan White in change for right-handed pitchers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips.
TRADE DETAILS
Braves obtain: OF Jarred Kelenic, LHP Marco Gonzales, 1B Evan White, money issues
Mariners obtain: RHP Jackson Kowar, RHP Cole Phillips
This was a cost-saving transfer for the Mariners, who despatched an unspecified determine to cowl a portion of the contracts of Gonzales, who’s owed $12.25 million subsequent yr, and White, who’s owed $15 million over the following two seasons.
It stays to be seen how both may match the Braves. For now, it appears like Atlanta needed to assume a few of their prices with a purpose to take an opportunity on Kelenic.
Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos sees the potential of Kelenic sharing left discipline with right-handed-hitting Vaughn Grissom, who’s going to familiarize himself with the place whereas taking part in within the Puerto Rican Winter League.
Requested whether or not he believes this deal concludes his seek for a left fielder, Anthopoulos instantly mentioned, “Sure.”
“I talked to Jarred tonight and informed him we actually like Vaughn and really feel like Vaughn actually has a shot on the market,” Anthopoulos mentioned. “Clearly, we already know [Vaughn] can play the infield. We expect Jarred has an opportunity to be an incredible participant, as effectively.
“We’re attempting to win a World Sequence and [manager Brian Snitker] would be the one which makes the selections by way of who goes on the market and competes.”
On condition that Grissom is unfamiliar with the outfield and could be the right-handed portion of a platoon, it’s pure to suppose that Kelenic may get more often than not in left discipline. However Anthopoulos’ feedback point out the membership is critically interested by the opportunity of making Grissom its main left fielder.
With that being mentioned, Kelenic has nice upside. The 24-year-old was the sixth total choice within the 2018 MLB Draft and MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 prospect as not too long ago as 2021. He has hit .204 with 32 homers and a .656 OPS via the primary 252 video games of his massive league profession.
Kelenic batted .253 with 11 homers and a .746 OPS in 416 plate appearances for the Mariners this yr. His season was interrupted on July 19, when he angrily kicked a water cooler within the dugout and broke his left foot.
“With our lineup, we’re not in search of anybody to hold the load,” Anthopoulos mentioned. “He’s proficient, and the outfield depth for us is somewhat skinny. He’s obtained great upside and ceiling. He’s a great defender.”
If Kelenic at the very least proves serviceable, the Braves ought to be ok with this low-cost deal. Kowar posted a 6.43 ERA for the Royals final yr and was acquired for Kyle Wright, who was dealt as an alternative of being non-tendered a pair weeks in the past. Phillips hasn’t pitched since present process Tommy John surgical procedure shortly earlier than the Braves took him with their second-round choose within the 2022 Draft.
Gonzales posted a 5.22 ERA whereas making simply 10 begins for the Mariners in 2023. The 31-year-old handled forearm points most of this previous season and underwent season-ending surgical procedure in August to decompress a nerve in his forearm. If he’s wholesome, he may be part of the combination of candidates to be Atlanta’s fifth starter.
“He’s anticipated to be prepared for spring,” Anthopoulos mentioned. “He’s logged a number of innings prior to now, and we’ll simply see how issues develop.”
The Mariners believed White might be like Matt Olson once they signed him to a six-year, $24 million deal earlier than the 2020 season — earlier than White had performed a Main League sport. White, 27, has hit 10 homers and constructed a .543 OPS over 306 profession plate appearances. Stricken by accidents, he hasn’t appeared within the Majors since 2021.