Braves make a slew of roster moves

There’s no other way to slice it — the decision to let Tyler Kinley and Pierce Johnson both hit free agency is a bit of a head-scratcher. The Braves save only about $11 million in total by declining their options, and both relievers performed admirably in Atlanta.

Johnson posted a 2.91 ERA across three seasons with the Braves, including a solid 3.05 mark over 65 appearances this year. Kinley wasn’t around as long — acquired at the trade deadline — but he was dominant, recording a remarkable 0.72 ERA in 24 outings.

Perhaps the Braves will try to bring one or both back at a lower price, but by making these moves, they’re essentially signaling a complete bullpen makeover.

In other news, the Braves announced that outfielder Jake Fraley has been claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays, while they claimed Michael Siani off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.

Fraley was a late-season addition off the waiver wire but has been a solid fourth outfielder over his seven-year major-league career, posting a .735 OPS. There was some thought that he could return through arbitration, but that possibility has now been put to rest.

Siani doesn’t have the same track record as Fraley. He’s appeared in just 160 games across four seasons and has struggled offensively, hitting .221 with a couple of home runs and a .547 OPS. Those are Nick Allen-type numbers, but like Allen, Siani’s value comes from his defense in the outfield.