Trade Done: Braves acquire another top star.
The Braves gained more outfield depth by acquiring Martínez in exchange for Minor League right-handed pitcher Tyler Owens. Martínez debuted for Texas last year and hit one homer while posting a .575 OPS over 44 plate appearances. The 27-year-old left-handed-hitting Cuban outfielder produced a .961 OPS over 353 plate appearances at the Triple-A level last year. There is still a need for the Braves to add a right-handed-hitting outfielder to serve as their primary backup outfielder.
Guillorme signed a one-year, $1.1 million deal, and Ynoa avoided arbitration with a one-year, $825,000 deal. Guillorme, who produced a .675 OPS over the past three seasons with the Mets, will likely serve as Atlanta’s primary backup infielder. Ynoa missed last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He will provide starting pitching depth.
Atlanta pulled off a significant trade with Boston, adding veteran left-hander Sale, a seven-time All Star, in exchange for a promising young infielder in Grissom. The club hopes Sale can contribute on a regular basis in the starting rotation — which would be notable, since injuries limited him to just 11 starts from 2020-22.
“There’s health history, and I understand that’s going to be a topic,” Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said. “But we think he’s a playoff-caliber starter and that’s what we were in the market for this offseason. We’ll make sure to do what we can to keep him on the mound.”
RHP Charlie Morton (right index finger sprain)
Expected return: 2024
Morton was not available during the National League Division Series; had the Braves made the NL Championship Series, they had hoped he’d be available by then. The veteran felt finger discomfort with one out in the first inning of his Sept. 22 start at Nationals Park. He didn’t return for the start of the second inning. An MRI exam confirmed the hurler isn’t dealing with anything more significant than a sprain. (Last updated: Oct. 13)
RHP Jackson Stephens (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: 2024
Stephens pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his appearance against the Nationals on Sept. 30. In five games this season, the right-hander had a 3.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 12 innings. (Last updated: Oct. 13)
LHP Dylan Lee (left shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: 2024
Lee missed more than three months with a shoulder ailment before returning to Atlanta’s roster at the start of September. He made four appearances before being placed back on the injured list. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on Sept. 17. (Last updated: Oct. 13)
