Luke Jackson, a longtime piece of the Atlanta Braves bullpen, has found a new home.
This afternoon, Jackson agreed to a two-year, $11.5 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.
The 31-year-old missed all of the 2022 season while he recovered from Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander had surgery back in April.
Jackson’s new contract includes a club option for 2025, which if not exercised, will grant him a $7 million buyout.
In 2021, the righty posted a 1.98 ERA in 71 appearances.
On Twitter, a Braves fan commented on Jackson’s new deal with the Giants, expressing that he was not expecting the right-hander to land an $11.5 million contract.
The surprise factor most likely comes from the fact that Jackson is still injured and likely will begin the 2023 season on the injured list.
But over his five seasons in Atlanta, Jackson went 16-6 with a 3.93 ERA and saved 19 games.
For his career, he owns a 4.24 ERA.
His time with the Braves was also somewhat of a mixed bag.
He had an ERA of four or more in three of his five seasons.
Jackson posted a 3.84 ERA in 2019.
But in 2021, he emerged as a key piece in their bullpen and was solid down the stretch and in the postseason as the Braves captured their first World Series title since 1995.
If he can regain his health, he could emerge as a solid option out of San Francisco’s bullpen, just as he was out of the bullpen of the Braves.
This is the second key bullpen piece the Braves have lost this offseason.
Earlier in the offseason, they watched closer Kenley Jansen sign with the Boston Red Sox.
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