The World Series hasn’t even begun yet, and the Braves are already making substantial moves, inking Pierce Johnson to a two-year deal.
The deal also comes with a $7 million club option for the 2026 season, which includes a $250k buyout.
The Braves had three critical relievers set to test free agency this winter — Joe Jimenez, Pierce Johnson, and Jesse Chavez — with Johnson being the best of the bunch. He was acquired in a trade with the Rockies, where he struggled at Coors Field. However, Alex Anthopoulos believed a change of scenery would do him wonders, and to say it did would be a gross understatement.
Johnson was as reliable as they come in his 24 appearances with the Braves, recording a microscopic 0.76 ERA to go along with a 12.2 K/9 and 0.887 WHIP. Given the state of Atlanta’s relief core going into the offseason, retaining him was critical, especially after trading for him mid-season. It’s a fantastic start, but expect this to be the first of many moves over the next several months when it comes to the bullpen.
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