The Rays have traded left-handed reliever Jonny Venters to the Braves in exchange for international bonus pool space, according to announcements from both teams. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports (on Twitter) that the Braves sent the minimum $250K to Tampa Bay in return for Venters.
Venters’ remarkably implausible return to the Majors after three Tommy John surgeries and a five-year absence was already among the best storylines of the 2018 season, but the fact that he’s now been reunited with his the organization for which he made his MLB debut only adds to the feel-good nature of his comeback.
The 33-year-old Venters broke into the Majors with Atlanta back in 2010 and immediately emerged as one of the better relievers in the National League, starring in a setup role for Craig Kimbrel from 2010-12 before going down with an elbow injury. Venters, incredibly, did not pitch in the Majors at all from 2013-17 before this season’s return as a member of the Rays.
So far in 2018, Venters has appeared in 22 games for Tampa Bay and been utilized as a left-handed specialist, as evidenced by the fact that he’s totaled just 14 innings. He’s posted a 3.86 ERA and an 11-to-6 K/BB ratio in that time, though one of those free passes was intentional. Venters’ 2011 season featured a 72.5 percent ground-ball rate — the eighth-highest mark in MLB history — and he’s been in vintage form so far this year, inducing grounders at a 70 percent clip. Venters has faced 26 lefties on the season and held them to an awful .167/.231/.292 slash, while the 32 righties he’s seen have hit him at a .250/.344/.357 pace.
Venters will give the Braves a fourth left-handed reliever, joining A.J. Minter, Sam Freeman and Jesse Biddle in the current relief corps for the time being. It’s not clear how the Braves will open a 25-man roster spot for Venters, though rookie Evan Phillips seems like a candidate to be optioned out.
The Rays’ return is minimal, though some of the motivation behind the deal may simply have been to do right by the veteran Venters. They’ll boost their 2018-19 pool enough to be able to pad their offer to some of the remaining talent on the international market or to make another few lower-priced signings. For the Braves, their pool allocations aren’t as important as they are to other clubs, as Atlanta is barred from signing any individual player for more than $300K anyhow.
yessss welcome home Jonny
I know this isn’t the splash everyone was looking for. I couldn’t be happier to see Venters back home in a Braves uniform. Welcome home Jonny to one of the class acts of mlb.
@ncbrave like
This is awesome to see. If only O’Ventbrel stuck around.
Back to where it all began for Venters
Pretty cool to go back to the braves.
This is our big trade? going to get my World Series tickets, not!!!
You realize having another bullpin option, even one like Venters, just cost the Braves absolutely nothing. The Braves are restricted from the international market.
Yes. Teams are only allowed one trade.
I can’t believe this is a real reaction.
This is why it pays to pay attention to baseball not just your favourite team. For years AA barely did anything at the deadline. In his last year when he knew he wasn’t returning he went all in and now I see media types saying AA Likes to make big splashes lol. AA likes controllable guys who look for a controllable starter for the braves and other minor pieces. If AA operates like anything he did in TO I doubt he gets any of the top end rentals
Exactly. But don’t broadcast it Iverbure, some people might be offended by your accurate comment.
The Braves are not done adding. They’re gonna get moustakas or Beltre.
They’re gonna likely get a pitcher too. Maybe more reliever help.
I find it really hard to believe that he only spent 3 years in Atlanta
Welcome back Jonny!
I’m assuming this means Sam Freeman is gone. At least I hope.
Oh please, please, please. I would help Freeman pack his bags.
If this guy doesn’t win the Comeback Player of the Year Award, they need to just stop giving it out.
The hype is real!
The poor man’s Kirby Yates
Shame his arm didn’t hold up on him. Could’ve been a mini Zach Britton. Glad to see he made it back.
if im not mistaken I dont think him my like a atl. I read it heard somewhere he blames atl staff for his arm woes and overuse during his first stint with atl
NYC public schools must be proud.
Me no like trade
Lol and Roger McDowell or Freddi Gonzalez are not here anymore to burn him out
Gotta be another move or 2 coming for the bullpen I hope we need strike throwers
For what was a minimal cost Soria woulda been a great pick up but I really hope they make a move for a couple of the Marlin kids, Kela or the Red’s flamethrower. Also need a veteran bench piece
Lot of work to do before the deadline
Yes, because there’s a new kid in town that learned from Cox how to burn-out RPs. Sam Freeman, anyone?
Is Freeman burnt out or just not that good?
both
Good story. Excited for his return to Atlanta
Ok the “feel good” story of the year. JV comes back to retire as a Brave. I think the Braves are still getting set for a playoff push next season. Our starting rotation is not a serious post season rotation as long as Julio Terror is a part of it. Our bullpen is a joke if compared to a real playoff team. This is fun to watch the team offensively wth the never say die attitude. I think to be a “contender” though the pitching has to improve greatly. Well and Swanson needs to learn to hit MLB pitching. Ronald Accuna Jr needs to continue to adjust to the same. I think Swanson has it he is just not very good at making adjustments. So sit back and enjoy this season for what it is …. but pitching wins championships and we are mediocre at best with Julio’s lame batting practice stuff. Should have traded him years ago. Now just write him a fat check and send him on his way. He is a bad apple spoiling the barrel.
Don’t focus on Teheran. He’s as good as gone. I keep reading that if they weren’t contending he would be gone. Believe that if you want, but his contract – which did look like a steal a few years ago – now looks like a hindrance. That’s ashame considering that’s the main reason they kept his leash so long.
I hope he can end the year on a high-note to boost his stock somewhat and we can cut bait. Another team could take chance on his ceiling at a discount and putting him at the back of the rotation. Looking at his career stats, he could do well in a pitchers park like OAK, KC, NYM (he has a 2.14 ERA @ Citi Field in 11 GS), TB, etc. If I were a rebuilding squad that could some vet leadership and could benefit from taking a chance and selling high (like Tyson Ross in SD this year) I’d bite, depending on what ATL wanted in return. Pay part of his salary and get back some high-risk prospects (not unlike Luke Jackson, Alex Jackson, Travis Demeritte’s situations).
I dig seeing who is worth what in terms of international spending.
Since teams can’t trade most draft picks.
It is interesting, but since ATL can’t spend that money I’m not sure his international spending return necessarily equaled his value.
Sneaky-good move here by the Braves. Venters has been great all year outside of his opening debacle. He’s allowed only run all year outside of that outing.
Wish the Cardinals would have picked him up. Cut Holland there’s instant improvement
Can Kris Medlen be far behind? Come out of retirement Kris….. bullpen calling!
I am a Rays fan and I’ve really enjoyed having Venters on the team this year. Not only a feel good story, but a solid lefty out of the pen. I think it’s a classy move to let him go back to ATL and compete for a postseason run. We’ve had some success in the international market, so getting some more $$ to spend is nice, but I think was just to do right by Jonny. I wish him success, and more importantly, HEALTH!
Here comes Jonny!
They should have got Oh as well. A good solid reliever and not over priced.
Great story. Too bad Jarrod Parker couldn’t have the same.
Venters was filthy back when he was with Atlanta. It was arguable he was more unhittable than Kimbrel. Zach Britton before Zach Britton. That 95+ mph fastball had ridiculous movement.
About when the Braves dump these losers in their bullpen…Freeman, Jackson and Moylan? This isn’t rocket science.