The Atlanta Braves have bolstered their outfield depth by claiming Jake Fraley off waivers on Tuesday, following his designation for assignment by the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. This move occurs as both teams navigate the high stakes of the 2024 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB playoff race, with the Reds positioned just a game behind the Mets for the final wild card spot, while the Braves are trailing further behind in their pursuit of postseason contention.
Fraley’s Career and Recent Performance Overview
Jake Fraley, 30, joined the Reds in 2022 after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners in a trade that involved Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez. In 2023, Fraley recorded the best season of his career by hitting 15 home runs and driving in 65 runs, maintaining a .256 batting average. So far this season, he has appeared in 67 games, accumulating six home runs and 23 RBIs, with a batting line of .232/.332/.387. Despite a knee hyper-extension injury sustained during an extra-inning game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Fraley did not require placement on the injured list.
Roster Strategy and Managerial Perspective on Fraley’s Departure
This season, Fraley is earning $3.1 million and is approaching his final arbitration year. However, Cincinnati‘s abundance of left-handed outfielders likely influenced their decision not to retain him. Reds manager Terry Francona reflected on the difficulty of such roster decisions, emphasizing the personal impact on players.
“I don’t think there’s ever an easy (cut), regardless of how guys are,”
Francona said.
“You’re making decisions that alter their life, and it’s a big deal. We take it that way. Not that I needed an excuse to lose sleep last night, but you do, because you think about it the whole time.”
—Terry Francona, Cincinnati Reds manager
Playoff Implications and Team Standings
At 66-60 for the season, the Reds remain in close pursuit of a playoff berth, trailing the New York Mets by a single game in the wild card race. Meanwhile, the Braves, holding a 56-69 record, are 10.5 games behind and face an uphill climb to reach postseason play. Fraley’s move to Atlanta adds veteran experience to their outfield as they assess potential avenues for competitiveness during the closing stretch of the season.