<img alt="MLB: SEP 24 Mets at Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YH8cYtAuWnz2pQg6hMBnAWjWl9I=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73701712/2173503492.0.jpg">
Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Monday was a bit busier than expected. Monday was always expected to be quite busy for Atlanta, with some pretty obvious decisions to be made on the status of certain Braves for 2025. For instance, the Braves exercised the team option for Marcell Ozuna for 2025 and extended a qualifying offer to Max Fried. And while declining the team option for Luke Jackson made sense, the news started to get surprising when the Braves also decided to decline the team option for Travis d’Arnaud.
However, the biggest and most surprising news of the day was that reliever Joe Jimenez, one of the best setup men in baseball last year, will be sidelined for the next 8-12 months due to knee surgery. This is a major and unfortunate development for Atlanta, as the backend of the bullpen was expected to a major strength once again for the Braves.
Could d’Arnaud’s option being declined be connected to the injury to Jimenez? Possibly, as both were due to make similar salaries in 2025. Whether or not that connection exists, the end result is that while the Braves do have more money to work with this offseason, they also have another major need to fill for their bullpen.
Braves News
Marcell Ozuna was named a finalist for the Silver Slugger award for DH in the NL. Here are the other finalists:
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CwP3j8O0AMYFSkLIGmWHsrAHnww=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25716191/Screen_Shot_2024_11_05_at_4.59.37_AM.png">
Drake Baldwin is considered the Braves top prospect via Baseball America. His level of importance to the Braves may have jumped significantly with the news on d’Arnaud.
Allan Winans is the latest player to be discussed in the 2024 Braves player review series.
Former Giants General Manager Pete Putila is joining the Braves as an assistant GM. He will be focused on heading the Braves international scouting department.
The Braves were the top team in baseball as they were ranked the best fan experience in the game via 2024 Voice of the Consumer program.
MLB News
Pitcher Gerrit Cole is remaining with the Yankees after opting out from his contract over the weekend. Cole and New York reworked the remainder of his contract on Monday.
Matt Arnold of the Brewers was named the MLB 2024 Executive of the Year.
MLB Trade Rumors released their top 50 free agent predictions.
Eight names were announced for Hall of Fame consideration on the Era Committee Ballot.
Clayton Kershaw declined his player option.
Across baseball, 13 players received qualifying offers as they head into free agency.
David Fry of the Guardians will miss the start of 2025 due to elbow surgery.
Nathan Eovaldi declined his player option with the Rangers.
<img alt="MLB: SEP 24 Mets at Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YH8cYtAuWnz2pQg6hMBnAWjWl9I=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73701712/2173503492.0.jpg">
Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Monday was a bit busier than expected. Monday was always expected to be quite busy for Atlanta, with some pretty obvious decisions to be made on the status of certain Braves for 2025. For instance, the Braves exercised the team option for Marcell Ozuna for 2025 and extended a qualifying offer to Max Fried. And while declining the team option for Luke Jackson made sense, the news started to get surprising when the Braves also decided to decline the team option for Travis d’Arnaud.
However, the biggest and most surprising news of the day was that reliever Joe Jimenez, one of the best setup men in baseball last year, will be sidelined for the next 8-12 months due to knee surgery. This is a major and unfortunate development for Atlanta, as the backend of the bullpen was expected to a major strength once again for the Braves.
Could d’Arnaud’s option being declined be connected to the injury to Jimenez? Possibly, as both were due to make similar salaries in 2025. Whether or not that connection exists, the end result is that while the Braves do have more money to work with this offseason, they also have another major need to fill for their bullpen.
Braves News
Marcell Ozuna was named a finalist for the Silver Slugger award for DH in the NL. Here are the other finalists:
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CwP3j8O0AMYFSkLIGmWHsrAHnww=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25716191/Screen_Shot_2024_11_05_at_4.59.37_AM.png">
Drake Baldwin is considered the Braves top prospect via Baseball America. His level of importance to the Braves may have jumped significantly with the news on d’Arnaud.
Allan Winans is the latest player to be discussed in the 2024 Braves player review series.
Former Giants General Manager Pete Putila is joining the Braves as an assistant GM. He will be focused on heading the Braves international scouting department.
The Braves were the top team in baseball as they were ranked the best fan experience in the game via 2024 Voice of the Consumer program.
MLB News
Pitcher Gerrit Cole is remaining with the Yankees after opting out from his contract over the weekend. Cole and New York reworked the remainder of his contract on Monday.
Matt Arnold of the Brewers was named the MLB 2024 Executive of the Year.
MLB Trade Rumors released their top 50 free agent predictions.
Eight names were announced for Hall of Fame consideration on the Era Committee Ballot.
Clayton Kershaw declined his player option.
Across baseball, 13 players received qualifying offers as they head into free agency.
David Fry of the Guardians will miss the start of 2025 due to elbow surgery.
Nathan Eovaldi declined his player option with the Rangers.
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