Braves sign reliever Reynaldo López to three-year deal
López, 29, pitched for three different teams last season, as he was traded from the White Sox to the Angels at the trade deadline and then placed on waivers by Los Angeles in a cost cutting measure.
Across his three teams, he had a 3.27 ERA in 66 innings, striking out 83 batters (11.3 K/9). In similar fashion to several of Atlanta’s recent additions in the bullpen, he’s a flamethrower – his four-seam fastball averages 98.2 mph, 96th percentile in all of baseball, and opposing hitters batted just .188/.226/.319 against it.
López signed a three year deal, with salaries of $4M (2024), $11M (2025) & $11M (2026). Atlanta holds a $8M club option for 2027 with a $4M buyout. As usual for Atlanta’s extensions and free agent signings, López donated 1% of his contract to the Atlanta Braves foundation.
Adding the right-handed López means the bullpen is now comprised of four righties and four lefties, with López joining Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson, and Joe Jiménez in high leverage situations. For left handers, AJ Minter and Aaron Bummer stand to get the most high-leverage usage while the team evaluates the status of the returning Tyler Matzek (Tommy John surgery) and Dylan Lee (shoulder).
It also continues a trend of Atlanta having one of the most expensive bullpens in baseball, with Atlanta sitting as a top five bullpen in total salary before the additions of Bummer and López. Adding those two (plus Minter’s projected $6.5M arbitration award) brings the current salaries of the pen to over $48M for 2024.
Important Braves Today Offseason Stories
2023 MLB Free Agent Rankings
Current Atlanta Braves prospect rankings
Current Atlanta Braves 40-man roster
Key offseason dates for the Atlanta Braves
Projecting the 2024 Atlanta Braves’ arbitration salaries
Check out Braves Today on Socials!
Follow Braves Today on Twitter!
Like Braves Today on Facebook!
Check out the homepage for more Atlanta Braves News!
Subscribe to Braves Today on YouTube!
Get Exclusive Braves Merchandise from FOCO
