Two pitchers who will not throw this season were traded for the Atlanta Braves new leftfielder.
This offseason, the Atlanta Braves engaged in a number of moves.
The most significant trade was sending two pitchers, Cole Phillips and Jackson Kowar, to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for a three-player package that included former top prospect Jarred Kelenic, who Atlanta plans to use as their starting left fielder.
Following the announcement last month that Phillips, a 2022 MLB Draft second-round selection, would require a second Tommy John surgery and would not be able to pitch in 2024, Seattle was counting on Kowar’s shift to a reliever to provide some kind of output from the trade.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, Kowar will require Tommy John surgery and is anticipated to miss the whole 2024 campaign.
Seattle might have used Kowar in 2024, but it’s a tough break for them. They were obviously delighted to shed the wages in the trade ($12.25 million owed to starter Marco Gonzalez and $17 million owed to Evan White).
(After that, Gonzalez and White were traded by Atlanta, with White going to the Los Angeles Angels and Gonzalez to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Atlanta’s CBT projections for 2024 show that they still owe both players some money.)
With Prelander Berroa (Chicago White Sox), Justin Topa (Minnesota Twins), Isaiah Campbell (Boston Red Sox), Paul Sewald (Arizona Diamondbacks), and Trevor Gott and Chris Flexen (New York Mets) departing the team since only last summer, Seattle has suffered from their strength in relief pitching in recent seasons.
When those trades are added to the injuries suffered by current relievers Matt Brash (elbow) and Gregory Santos (teres major), Seattle may find itself in a pinch for relief early in 2024. However, both relievers are anticipated to make a quick recovery and return to spring training.
