The Atlanta Braves have re-signed all their sacked players and brought them back to the team, including…
The Atlanta Braves have re-signed all of their fired players and welcomed them back to the team.
ATLANTA — The Braves re-signed reliever Pierce Johnson to a two-year, $14.25 million contract Wednesday in the first offseason move for the team that posted baseball’s best record this season.
Johnson, who provided the Braves with a hard-throwing option out of the bullpen after being acquired from Colorado, will earn $7 million in each of the following two seasons. The agreement also contains a $7 million club option in 2026 with a $250,000 buyout.
The 32-year-old right-hander lost his job as the Rockies’ closer, but he improved his season after being traded to Atlanta for two minor leaguers on July 24.
Johnson surrendered two earned runs in 23 2/3 innings for a 0.76 ERA in 24 appearances for the Braves, striking out 32 and walking only five. He, along with A.J. Minter, played an important setup role for closer Raisel Iglesias.
Johnson had three scoreless appearances in the NL Division Series, but the 104-win Braves were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies in four games for the second straight year.
Iglesias, who recorded 33 saves and a 2.75 ERA, is under contract for two more seasons, while Minter (3-6, 10 saves, 3.76 ERA) is entering his final year of arbitration. The Braves are also hopeful for the return of lefty Tyler Matzek, who missed the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The rest of the bullpen is in flux.
Joe Jimenez is on his way to free agency until he and the Braves can agree on a new contract, while Dylan Lee, Nick Anderson, and Michael Tonkin are still under team control.
There’s also 40-year-old Jesse Chavez, who has been extremely efficient in various stints with the Braves. He may be removed from the 40-man roster, but Atlanta could try to re-sign him to a minor league contract.
Johnson, who committed to donate 1% of his salary to the Atlanta Braves Foundation, has also thrown for the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs during his six seasons in the majors. His career record is 12–15 with a 4.04 ERA and 13 saves.
