MLB Hot Stove: Juan Soto joins the Yankees while free agents start coming off the board

The story of the back half of the Winter Meetings, the long-anticipated Juan Soto trade finally went through. The former Nationals and Padres outfielder, along with centerfielder Trent Grisham, was traded to the New York Yankees for a five player package that was mostly pitching, centered around MLB starter Michael King and prospect pitcher Drew Thorpe. 

Now that this trade is complete, combined with the earlier Yankees trade with the Boston Red Sox (while still feels weird to say) for outfielder Alex Verdugo, the Yankees have a full outfield again and look to compete for not only the AL East in 2024, but fully intend to be World Series contenders. 

Impact on Atlanta: Minimal. The trade weakens the NL West Padres, but that division still belongs to the Los Angeles Dodgers until further notice.  

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez signs four year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks

Rodriguez, who nixed a deadline trade to the Dodgers, signed a four year, $80M contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday. The deal includes a fifth year (at the same $20M salary) that automatically vests if he pitches 150 innings in both 2026 & 2027. 

Rodriguez was 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA in 26 starts for the Detroit Tigers last season, a career-best ERA that wasn't too out in front of his peripherals (3.66 FIP, 1.153 WHIP). There's some doubt out there that his performance is sustainable, but this is a player that I personally thought Atlanta could have gone after for rotation stability in future seasons. 

Impact on Atlanta: Minimal. Based on what Atlanta reportedly offered Aaron Nola and the recent trade of Marco Gonzales freeing up some salary room, this is a transaction they could have done if they choose to. The fact that Alex Anthopoulos declined to sign him tells me either they're not a believer or they didn't like something about the price, length of contract, or both. 

Infielder Jeimer Candelario signs for three years with the Cincinnati Reds

The former Washington Nationals third baseman, traded to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, inked for $45M across three years with the Reds. It's an odd fit, considering the Reds already had too many infielders and their top prospect is SS/3B Noelvi Marte. 

Impact on Atlanta: Several have asked if Marte could be a trade candidate for Atlanta to go get as a long-term solution at shortstop, but he profiles more as a third baseman at this point. On his promotion to AAA Louisville last season, he played exclusively third base and looked only okay in his brief major league appearances at shortstop. He could be an average (at best) fill-in in the short term at short, but owing to the thicker lower half and the lack of range, he's not a long-term option for Atlanta at shortstop.  

Former Braves reliever Ben Heller signs with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Atlanta's seen several of last year's relievers sign with other teams, with Heller joining Kirby Yates (Rangers) and Michael Tonkin (Mets) in finding new jobs. Still unsigned from last season's bullpen include Jesse Chavez, Collin McHugh, and Brad Hand.   

Impact to Atlanta: Minimal. Atlanta's done most of their offseason work on the bullpen, acquiring Aaron Bummer via trade, signing Reynaldo López in free agency, re-signing Pierce Johnson & Joe Jiménez to major league deals, and re-signing Penn Murfee and Jackson Stephens to minor league deals. It feels like the depth's already established in the bullpen and the Braves made a point early to bring back the guys they wanted, so most of these players weren't going to be on the 2024 roster. 

Other Winter Meetings transactions

There was a surprisingly robust list of signings that took place at the Winter Meetings, despite what most folks would tell you, but none of them really impact the Braves. The biggest name not already discussed was former Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel, signing a one year deal (with a 2025 club option) with the Baltimore Orioles. 

Other signings included:

Starter Erick Fedde signs with Chicago White Sox
Reliever Chris Devenski signs with Tampa Bay Rays
Starters Wade Miley and Joe Ross sign with Milwaukee Brewers 
Catcher Victor Caratini signs with Houston Astros
Reliever Adam Cimber signs with Los Angeles Angels 

Impact to Atlanta: None

So where does Atlanta stand now? 

Alex Anthopoulos discussed this on Wednesday - Atlanta's set as far as position players are concerned (although you may still see a depth signing here and there to fill out the AAA Gwinnett roster). The Braves would be interested in the right starter at the right price, and they could make room for a bullpen arm as well. 

That's best interpreted as relating to the flexibility of Reynaldo López - most effective as a reliever, he was originally a starter and Atlanta's going to explore stretching him back out. If they find the right starter, he can stay in the pen, but if he ends up in the rotation, Atlanta probably finds one more affordable bullpen piece. 

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