Braves make surprising decision on Tyler Kinley’s option

The Braves acquired Tyler Kinley from the Rockies for essentially nothing at this year’s trade deadline in a move eerily reminiscent of the deal for Pierce Johnson a couple of seasons ago.

Kinley had really struggled in Colorado, posting ERAs north of six in both 2023 and 2024, and carried a 5.66 mark this season prior to the trade. However, the move away from Coors Field worked wonders. He was lights out in Atlanta, recording a microscopic 0.72 ERA over 24 appearances for the Braves.

I’m not sure what more he could have done to earn a spot on next year’s roster. He was nearly flawless, and even his underlying metrics dating back to his Rockies days were encouraging. Perhaps the Braves will still attempt to bring him back at a lower rate, but with around $197 million already committed to the 2026 payroll, it’s clear the front office believes that money can be better used to address other pressing needs.