*Photo from Battery Power*
Here comes another pitcher to Georgia. The Atlanta Braves and RHP Reynaldo Lopez have agreed to a 3 year, $30 million contract, according to an announcement by the Braves.
After starting his career as a starter, Lopez began to convert to a reliever in 2021 and was a full time reliever in 2022 and 2023. With the Braves, they plan to stretch out Lopez as a starter this offseason and in spring training before determining whether to put him in the rotation or send him to the bullpen to start the year.
As a starter, Lopez has a 4.73 ERA and 1.37 WHIP while averaging 7.7 strikeouts per 9 innings while allowing 86 home runs in 515 1/3 innings. As a reliever, he has a 3.01 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, averaging 9.6 strikeouts per 9 while allowing just 13 home runs in 164 1/3 innings.
In his contract, Lopez will earn $4 million in 2024 and $11 million in both 2025 and 2026, with his contract being backloaded. The Braves have an $8 million team option for 2027 with a $4 million buyout.
Over 8 big league seasons, Lopez has played for the Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians. He has authored a 4.32 ERA, 4.45 FIP, and 1.301 WHIP, averaging 3.3 walks per 9 and 8.2 strikeouts per 9 in 97 starts, 144 relief appearances, and 679 2/3 innings. He's allowed two runs in 4 innings over two appearances in the playoffs.
Lopez said of going to the Braves that "There's a great vibe and atmosphere of wanting to win. People I spoke to, my inner circle of friends, everybody, spoke highly of the organization. When my agent said that there was an opportunity I said, ‘Let's do it.’"
In 2023, Lopez spent time with the White Sox, Angels, and Guardians after being traded and claimed off waivers. He posted a 3.27 ERA, 1.273 WHIP, and 3.91 FIP, averaging 11.3 strikeouts per 9 over 66 innings and 68 appearances.
Just 4 days before adding Lopez, the Braves struck a massive 6 player deal with the White Sox that saw them land lefty reliever Aaron Bummer.
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