Despite his dip, Jarred Kelenic is still adjusting to his new strategy and should not be dismissed as a lost cause. His worth on the field is sufficient to justify giving him at-bats in a platoon with Adam Duvall.
The one offseason signing that has only wowed is Reynaldo Lopez, who signed a free agency contract worth $30 million over three years, a pittance for a starting pitcher.
The former reliever joined the Braves from the White Sox this offseason and has solidified the rotation following Spencer Strider’s terrible season-ending injury. Lopez has started five games, going 30.0 innings, and has a 1.50 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, and a 9.3 K/9, causing
MLB media recently surveyed anonymous execs on the top offseason signings, and the Braves’ free agency signing received some acclaim. “Reynaldo López could be quite a steal for Atlanta if they successfully continue his conversion back into the rotation,” an AL official stated.
Here’s how the voting shook out:
Shota Imanaga, Cubs (9 votes)
Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (4 votes)
Jack Flaherty, Tigers (1 vote)
Sonny Gray, Cardinals (1 vote)
Jordan Hicks, Giants (1 vote)
Reynaldo López, Braves (1 vote)
Seth Lugo, Royals (1 vote)
Albert Suárez, Orioles (1 vote)
Spencer Turnbull, Phillies (1 vote)
Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers (trade/extension) (1 vote)
Zack Wheeler, Phillies (extension) (1 vote)
Shota Imanaga has performed admirably for the Cubs. The Japanese lefty signed a four-year contract worth $53 million, with the organization having the option to extend the contract to $80 million over five years after both Years 2 and 3. It’s impossible to argue that any free agency signing has had a greater influence during the first six weeks of the season, but Reynaldo Lopez makes a compelling case.
Imanaga has started one more game than Lopez and has a 0.78 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. There are also many unknowns with Lopez, who hasn’t pitched more than 66 innings in a season since 2019. Regardless, Lopez appears to be a great value for Atlanta, according to the AL executive.
