The Braves trade for Jarred Kelenic from the Mariners has the potential to be one of the better moves of the offseason.
Atlanta didn’t have to give up much to acquire the former 6th overall pick in the 2018 draft, sending Jackson Kowar and 2022 second-round pick Cole Phillips to the Mariners. What the Braves did have to do is take on the salaries of Marco Gonzales and Evan White, two players who are owed a combined $27 million over the next two seasons.
Essentially, the Braves paid for the rights to Jarred Kelenic, a toolsy outfielder that could be the answer to Atlanta’s left field situation for years to come. The 24-year-old is under team control through 2028, and the Braves feel like they can help him tap into the potential that once made him one of the hottest prospects in baseball, which Brian Snitker spoke about at this week’s Winter Meetings.
“I just know just talking to people how talented the kid is,” Snitker said, via Kris Willis of Battery Power. “It’ll be good for him to get in with our group, our program and what we do and how we approach things. I think it’ll be really beneficial for a young, talented player.”
Kelenic is expected to compete with Vaughn Grissom for the opportunity to start in left field. However, with the Braves involved in several trade rumors, one has to wonder if Grissom or Kelenic could potentially be moved in another, more significant trade.
As of now, both are exciting young players that could potentially help fill the only real void on the roster for the foreseeable future. Grissom, a natural middle infielder, will be getting some outfield work this offseason in Puerto Rico.
Whether the Braves go with Kelenic, Grissom, or both as their long-term answer in left field, they’ll feature a youthful outfield that is oozing with talent. Ronald Acuña is now the elder statesman of the bunch, set to turn 26 years old next season and fresh off his first NL MVP award. Michael Harris and Vaughn Grissom will both turn 23 within the next few months, and Jarred Kelinic is just 24. That’s a crazy amount of talent roaming around the outfield and under team control through at least the 2028 season.
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