The Braves announced Wednesday that infielder David Fletcher, who they acquired from the Angels last week, has cleared waivers and been assigned outright to Triple-A Gwinnett. The move amounts to a formality, as Atlanta was surely aware that another team wouldn’t claim Fletcher and the $14MM still guaranteed to him on his current contract. The Angels outrighted Fletcher twice during the 2023 season. At 4.168 years of MLB service time, he’s four days shy of being able to reject an outright assignment while still remaining the entirety of that sum.
David O’Brien of The Athletic tweets that Braves brass still “fully expects” Fletcher to be their primary utility infielder next season. For the time being, however, passing him through waivers creates some extra flexibility by opening a spot on the 40-man roster. The Braves can always select Fletcher back to the 40-man roster prior to Opening Day. Once he’s accrued even four more days of service time, they’ll lose the ability to shuffle him around in this nature, as Fletcher could elect free agency and retain his salary, leaving Atlanta on the hook for that money.
It’s still a modest surprise to see Fletcher outrighted at the moment, given that the Braves already had five open spots on the 40-man roster. Timing aside, the outcome was always going to be the same when he was placed on waivers though, so making the move now versus making the move in February changes nothing. It sounds quite likely that Fletcher will be added back to the 40-man before long — if not prior to Opening Day then early in the 2024 campaign.
Fletcher, 29, came to the Braves as part of a convoluted series of trades that have added a considerable amount of money to Atlanta’s luxury tax ledger but haven’t left the roster with much in the way of clear upgrades. The Braves acquired Jarred Kelenic, Evan White and Marco Gonzales for Jackson Kowar, prospect Cole Phillips and cash — then immediately flipped Gonzales and cash to the Pirates for a player to be named later. White was traded to the Angels alongside minor league reliever Tyler Thomas to acquire catcher Max Stassi and Fletcher. Atlanta quickly sent Stassi and cash to the White Sox for another PTBNL.
Ultimately, they were left on the hook for the remaining $14MM on Fletcher’s deal, nearly three quarters of Gonzales’ $12.25MM salary, and the associated luxury taxes they’ll pay on each player. It’s a steep price to pay to effectively buy low on Kelenic and install Fletcher as a utility infielder — particularly when the Braves already had a very similar utility option in Nicky Lopez, who was traded to the ChiSox as part of the Aaron Bummer trade. Perhaps the PTBNLs acquired for Gonzales and Stassi will be of some significance, but it’s hard to imagine a team in the Pirates’ or White Sox’ positions giving up substantial prospect talent for short-term stopgaps — even at positions of need and with paid-down salaries.
Fletcher signed a five-year, $26MM extension with the Angels on the heels of a .298/.356/.395 showing from 2019-20 — a productive stretch at the plate during which he fanned at a tiny 10.1% clip and played superb defense between three infield spots (second base, third base, shortstop). He’s since floundered at the dish, however, batting just .259/.296/.327 in 990 plate appearances. Fletcher’s bat-to-ball skills have actually improved (8.6% strikeout rate), but his quality of contact has plummeted and rendered him an unimpactful player in the batter’s box. He’s still a versatile and talented defender, and the Braves will likely lean on him as a glove-first utility option this coming season.
Simm
I was told by braves fans that trade was another aa great move. Now both guys are gone and cost them more
Rebuild it
Fletchers not gone, just outrighted off the 40 man roster
Halo11Fan
You really don’t get it. Did you read the article before you posted your ignorant comment.
Read it. The comment.
rundmc1981
Read the article. He has an option and are assigning him to AAA.
Halo11Fan
Forehead slap. Fletcher doesn’t have options. No one is going to claim him with that salary.
Read the article.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Agreed Halo, my question is, how is hitting .259 “floundering” at the plate? I think Fletcher will become an asset.to ATL.
Rexhudler86
He has a option, if he plays four days in the mlb, he can decline his assignment. Fletcher won’t do that because he won’t make 2/14 anywhere else.
Halo11Fan
I think Fletcher will be an asset as well. He’s a darn good utility infielder that should help most teams. Just because the contract is insane, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have value
The Angels have a habit regarding not getting the most from their players.
Rexhudler86
I’m a fletcher fan, and know he’s a asset. Just saying he not going anywhere and they can still send him up and down this year, if he declines assignment after 4 more days in the mlb he will lose his salary. So nothing is going to change essentially. Pretty much the same with white they are both on the taxi squad.
Halo11Fan
He can’t be optioned, he has no options left.
QuackingHalos
.259 with no power (.359 slugging percentage) and a .323 OBP is abysmal. Doesn’t strike out a ton, but doesn’t walk a lot either.
Halo11Fan
Just to respond. He’s out of options.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
He’s so abysmal that in 2020 he was #17 in mvp voting.
It’s worth the risk
Rexhudler86
I didn’t read the last part. He could still sit in the minors. If they want give someone a extended look.
richardc
@Rexhudler86, That’s where you are wrong.
After 4 more days of service time, YES they can still send him down, BUT then he can reject that assignment, KEEP his money, and another team can re-sign him with Atlanta only recouping the major league minimum in savings.
The Braves already have two guys that aren’t going to be ready to contribute on their 40 man roster. Doing this now, allows then an extra 40 man spot, so they can still keep those guys and then put them on the IL once the year begins.
They cannot do that now, without risking exposing both Murphee and Perdomo to waivers.
They now have an extra 6 spots to fill and add however they want. It just adds flexibility for now, while they won’t have that sane option for much longer.
Rexhudler86
Yeah I didn’t read the last part. Thought it was he could decline assignment, but forfeit his money.
Halo11Fan
Only if they exposed him to other teams picking him up.
Halo11Fan
Rex… I think you are right. I’m not sure, but I believe he can forfeit the money.
Rexhudler86
@halo11fan not completely right, but I can see him accepting a assignment if they need to bring in a emergency pitcher. They’re pretty stuck with each other for a year. Next year they can recoup about a million if they choose too.
cash3w
It’s easy to scratch your head about the cost for 2024. But this is an investment beyond 2024. Mark Bowman from MLB.com provides a good explanation:
Even when accounting for the $4 million the Mariners included in the trade, the Braves will pay close to that $17 million figure for Kelenic and Fletcher. That’s $4 million more than they would have paid to keep Eddie Rosario and Nicky Lopez around. But this isn’t just about 2024. This financial commitment shows how much Atlanta believes in Kelenic’s ability to be a star for many years to come.
Atlien912
He would decline if he gets the 4 more days, that 2/14 is guaranteed and any team that claims him would only have to pay league vet minimum. Atlanta would be on the hook for the other 13.25 mil or so
Atlien912
He will not lose the salary. Baseball contracts are fully guaranteed at signing
Rexhudler86
I’m too sure if he would leave Atlanta, I know all of that about the salary. Just saying he might accept a handshake deal if they’re in a pinch. But agree he’s probably staying atleast this year.
Benjamin101677
If Kelenic becomes a all star everything worth it, this trade here was more about free up short term money compared to long term money. A little hitting middle infielder with great glove is a always a better fit than a glove first first baseman.
Once the 2024 season is over Atlanta is going have more freed up cash for signing, retaining players, etc.
JCPenny
That’s a really big if. And again, with the machinations the Braves went through to get him, he really needs to be a difference maker. These are some of the most puzzling moves I’ve seen a team make. It’s like someone just bought Out of the Park and didn’t really know how to play yet.
Slow day at work
@JCPenny no he doesn’t “really needs to be a difference maker”
He just needs to be Rosario or slightly better, and on defense alone, he will be.
JCPenny
So what is the total investment now that the Braves have made? 25 million?
Atlien912
Its not puzzling when you realize they would have paid Eddie n Nicky around 13mil for 1 yr and they would both be FA again in 25 vs paying 17mil this yr for Fletcher n Kelenic but still having 4 more yrs of control of Kelenic at a very low cost while having the option of buying Fletcher out for about 2mil. AA is playing chess while everyone is thinking its just checkers.
WSC’s since ‘62 PHI 2 ATL 2 NYM 2
@Benjamin101677
In the better part of 3 seasons with the Mariners Kelenic had a single month, April 23, in which his OPS+ was above league average.
His over 30% K rate along with under 10% BB rate is equally alarming.
On top of that kicking the cooler and breaking his foot was one of many childish outbursts. His temper distracts all around him.
The Mariners had a losing record when he was active 56-58 and played .667 ball 32-16 when he was on the IL.
This trade was not just about a salary dump, it also removed a clubhouse deterrent .
An all-star? That would take a mini miracle.
Letsplaytwotomorrow
You forgot can’t hit a curve.
Idosteroids
It removes his salary out of luxury tax calculations.
Bucket Number Six
Nope, that loophole closed a couple CBAs ago
Idosteroids
Ah my bad…can’t keep track of this stuff anymore
Joeydonuts
A team’s Competitive Balance Tax figure is determined using the average annual value of each player’s contract on the 40-man roster, plus any additional player benefits. Every team’s final CBT figure is calculated at the end of each season.
That’s the current cba language.
Halo11Fan
It’s December, only a few are paying a lot of attention. Lord knows I’m not.
bravesfan
He’s not gone, read the article ding dong lol. Merely a roster mgmt thing
2183281
*Farhan Zaidi has entered the conversation*
vaderzim
I think Fletcher would still opt to go to the Dodgers, just like his former Angels teammate.
Bucket Number Six
He’s going to Gwinnett until the Braves call him.
rememberthecoop
Why do I always think of Chevy Chase when his name comes up?
gravel
Because you are cultured.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Every time I’m on vacation, I think of Fletcher
Halo11Fan
It temporarily clears a spot on the 40 man roster.
The Angels will likely do the same thing with White.
Steve Adams
White isn’t on the Angels’ 40-man. The Braves outrighted him before trading him.
Halo11Fan
Thanks for the update.
lemonlyman
Should have taken your advice to two people above and maybe read the Evan White trade article before posting about it.
Read it. Then comment.
Halo11Fan
Did I say this on the Evan White link?
Big difference between talking about White being or not being on the 40 man roster versus Fletcher is gone. Night and day.
Big difference between commenting on an obvious point in the article, than doing research about a paperwork roster move.
Nice try.
Benjamin101677
All these moves come down to Jerred Kelenic. If Kelenic becomes the all star that many scouts think he could be than this was a steal for the money. If he fails in Atlanta than it horrible waste of money
StudWinfield
If Kelenic can be just a healthy average LF’er it’s a decent trade.
stymeedone
…that many scouts thought he could be…
Should be past tense since I don’t think they think that any more.
Buzzz Killington
He should be a starting short stop on an MLB team. Great defense.
Halo11Fan
He’s only an adequate defensive shortstop.
Gold glove caliber second and third baseman
Buzzz Killington
Give him a full year at short stop and he’ll finish as one of the best defensively.
Halo11Fan
Maybe, but we are talking about what he is now and a team is not going to go through growing pains hoping he gets better.
According to statcast, David Fletcher Runs Prevented at short throughout his career is zero.
Buzzz Killington
Teams should be interested but not with his current contract. I still think he’d be a great defensive short stop given a full season. Already proven he’s above average.
RunDMC
FWIW, according to Fangraphs, his RP (RAA) is at a career of 3 at SS (987.2 innings) with a OAA of 4.
I get Fletcher as had a down last 2 years, but he still shows some traits that ATL would benefit from (over Arcia): #1) Fletcher still showed he has more range than Arcia (UZR/150 = Fletcher: 12.8 (122 innings) vs. -10 (1200 innings)). Yes, small sample size, but for his career at SS, he still has more range (4.4 UZR/150 in 987 innings). #2) Fletcher is still a contact hitter, as the article mentions. His K-rate last year was 9.3% or less than half league average. If guy can just make contact and/or get OB and be a table-setter for the bats around him, that’s all they need. Arcia’s K-rate was 19.1% in ’23.
There was an article on a Braves blog talking about how Fletcher would overtake Arcia for SS, if Arcia had a prolonged slump (and defensive miscues). While the leash is fairly long on Arcia, they could easily flip-flop on their roles, as Arcia is making substantially less than Fletcher, so there’s not an expensive contract to hold the roster accountable.
Halo11Fan
It’s all worth something. And as far as I can tell, it’s all accurate.
fred-3
I think AA is one of the better GMs, but I’m genuinely confused by the Braves’ off-season
Benjamin101677
fred-3; the Braves wanted Kelenic as if he is a quality player than he is the left fielder for the next 5 seasons. Basically filling out the Braves starting line up for years. Instead of giving up top prospects the Braves took back money on bad contracts. The Braves been trying to get that money moved around from the bad contracts via trades as so that the most bad money is off the Braves books ends of 2024. Its going to give Atlanta the chance with Kelenic for starting left fielder for years and than after 2024 the most possible money available for starting pitching.
Years ago the Braves did this with Chris Johnson for Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn. Also did it with Matt Kemp for Adiran Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, and Brandon McCarthy. They took the money hit for that season like in 2024 they will but than the bad contract commitments were over
fred-3
Look at Kelenic’s splits. He’s only hit well for 6 weeks. The rest of his career has been bad. Maybe the Braves can get something out of him but he’s not someone you could do all this for, at least not right now.
Slow day at work
@fred-3 Kelenic is still a young player. Kevin Seitzer and Chipper Jones were able to help multiple Braves players become better, more consistent hitters. From big names like Acuna, Riley, Olson to role players like Arcia, Nicky Lopez, Sam Hilliard.
There is reason to be optimistic that they can help Kelenic realize his potential.
Hopefully they’ll also teach him a little bit about physics and the mass density of water in otherwise light weight containers
Rishi
Tons of players don’t have a good year (if they make it up at all) until at least their age 24 season. If he were a free agent, as a recent top prospect going into age 24 season, he would certainly find someone willing to sign him for a 40m gamble or so over 5 years. Especially considering he did have some success (even if only 6 weeks) and the success came right after he made mechanical adjustments. Those mechanical adjustments were a return to how he hit when he was younger (a top draft pick/prospect). It’s a risk but not even that much money really for the possible upside.
cash3w
I agree. To clarify, it’s mostly Seitzer’s coaching with a sprinkle of Chipper.
stymeedone
And all this talk about “for years to come” is only if he improves. He has no options, so if he remains the same, a DFA is in his future.
Blackouts are racist
AA is bored.
HalosHeavenJJ
Really feel for David. Between his injuries and father’s death this has been a really tough stretch for him.
Great guy. Hope he’s healthy and forces his way back to MLB.
Halo11Fan
He’ll make the opening day roster. Don’t feel bad for him.
Worse case scenario, he’ll play for any team he wants. He’s four days away from securing a spot.
cookmeister 2
I feel bad he lost his dad for sure. But I don’t feel bad for his downfall. When you think you deserve special treatment like ohtani and then throw a fit about it, maybe the demotion was deserved
Slow day at work
I must have missed that. I live close to Anaheim and my brother and his kid are huge Angel fans so I’m somewhat informed on their team. My brother was always big on Fletcher too, so I’m curious as to what happened
cookmeister 2
Basically what I said… he wanted his own program, the angels said no, he started to then not listen to coaches (especially hitting coaches), when asked to stop and be coachable he kept doing the same things, so he got sent down.
baseballpun
Why do they need to open a 40-man spot if they’re just going to add him back? The Rule 5 draft already passed.
Halo11Fan
Because if they add players, it gives them flexibility. It’s not a big deal.
larkraxm
Truer words have never been posted! This is not even a small deal let alone a big deal! Most fans couldn’t pick David Fletcher out of a line up and his best case scenario is as a utility infielder that doesn’t hit. Who cares where He is assigned during the winter??
Halo11Fan
He has hit before, so I hardly believe that’s the best case scenario.
He doesn’t hit for power, and never will. But he was great in 2020, was hitting over 300 in mid August 2021, and has a WAR over 10.
He’s better than you think.
SeanPeeps
That’s the real question. Finally. Maybe he needs roster spots open for some reason
Rsox
It basically gives them the option to test the waters to see if they can get anytime better. Honestly though as a utility player Fletcher is fine and i doubt most Braves fans want to see another season of Charlie Culberson literally just sitting at the end of the bench hoping to eventually get into a game
solaris602
Fletcher is literally THE buffer to prevent that from happening. However, I thought the Guardians were finally done with Austin Hedges, and they proved me wrong earlier this week. Therefor I fully expect AA to bring Culberson back again in the near future.
Buzzz Killington
Gives them flexibility. They can claim a player and give him that spot without making a corresponding move. He only had 4 more days before he could deny the assignment so they had to do it now. Always good to have extra 40 man spots open.
Buzzz Killington
4 days of service time so actually they had more time my bad.
johndietz
They probably want to make sure he has a spring worthy of a spot. After 4 days they lose whatever advantage they have since he can’t refuse assignment and retain his salary
Benjamin101677
I think if he is off the 40 man roster that the money owed to him is not part of the luxury tax
Steve Adams
Still counts toward the luxury tax. Otherwise teams could just outright all of their unwanted contracts, knowing no one would claim them, and duck under the luxury tax.
KamKid
Is that in the new CBA? Wasn’t that the reason Rusney Castillo had no shot at being brought back onto the 40 man roster? I feel like it would be hard to outright the majority of unwanted contracts since most players on guaranteed contracts beyond their worth are in a position to reject the outright.
Steve Adams
Rusney Castillo is the reason the loophole was closed, but it was closed in the 2016-21 CBA.
Bob Sacamano 310
Trade him to the White Sox and eat his full salary (minus league minimum) lol they’re prioritizing good defensive white guys who can’t hit lol
Sid Bream Speed Demon
Yes, as obvious by them trading for….checks notes…..notorious white guy Nicky Lopez.
Bob Sacamano 310
US born then. From the wealthy community of Naperville, IL
Rsox
So they should only be scouring the inner-cities and slums of the Dominican Republic for good defensive guys that can’t hit?
Hired Gun 23
David Fletcher is an out alright…
Liberalsteve
Does Albies know that his contract is the worst in MLB history for a player? Has he read the press?
Benjamin101677
Albies took instant cash instead of league min salaries in order to become a millionaire and worth about the rest later. Never heard him complain about it once
Liberalsteve
Yeah.Cause I don’t think he is aware
Atlien912
If knowing tomorrow your baseball career could be over would you take 7mil a yr for 8yrs or would you rather wonder what your salary would be for the next 5, fighting with the organization that pays you each season while risking career ending injury? Oh and you are from a small poor island nation where your parents have struggled their entire life. Now who’s too stupid to know whats good for them?
Buzzz Killington
He struggled before and could have potentially never earned that much. I think he’s happy having security and playing great.
DS1
Ozzie is a millionaire playing on his favorite team, playing with his buddy Ronald.
Sounds pretty good to me!
Sid Bream Speed Demon
Dumb opinion, username checks out.
Rsox
He Also knows he can be a free agent following his age 30 season and try to cash in on a mega deal then.
This one belongs to the Reds
He’ll end up on the Reds. They like to collect shortstops.
solaris602
Don’t count the Padres out. Preller is on a mission to populate the entire roster with shortstops.
The Big Yo
Call me wrong or call me right but Jesus be a man and say it to my face. The moves American franchise c”*nys make or shocking to me. Pure greed on all sides.
Troy Percival's iPad
I did not have an article about David Fletcher getting such a heated response on my bingo card, but here we are
DarkSide830
what?
Old York
I never saw the hype of Fletcher. Guy was a career BA of .299 minors player. Most players lose about 18% of their production when switching to the majors, so that brings him down to .245 which he’s been the past 3 seasons. That’s the type of player he is. Add in a majors wOBA of .298 and he’s just not a full-time major leaguer.
aragon
Well, when he played 2B regularly his average was up.
Minasian made him to play every position except a catcher, he bombed.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
Makes sense, he obviously wasn’t going anywhere with that contract so might as well open up a 40 man spot
Mickey Solis
Fletcher was useless anyway once Ohtani went to LA, can’t lure Ohtani to Atlanta now with his best friend.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
That was never the plan lol
its_happening
AA trying to find a taker.
M.C.Homer
Braves fans, you’ll like Fletcher
Halo11Fan
I think they’ll love him. The Angels didn’t use him correctly.
M.C.Homer
You said it earlier….flashes GG at 2nd or 3rd.
And clutch hits might still be in him…
bravesalltheway
This is basically a better version of when we essentially bought Touki Toussaint from the dbacks for 14M of bad contracts. Kelenic was a top 10 prospect that started to turn the corner last year these trades are nothing but a huge W it’s not even arguable.
prov356
Fletcher will be great if allowed to be a starter. He has the contact to be a great lead-off hitter and also great defense.
stymeedone
I’d you don’t see risk in Kelenic, you never will.
EM41
For weeks now, the Braves have maintained lots of open slots on their 40 man roster. They have 5 open slots now and 3 players (I. Anderson, Perdomo and Murfree) who will open the season on the 60 day disabled list. So, I remain fascinated to see what signings, trades, waiver claims or other acquisitions are coming. So, besides going after another SP, I see deals for bench players and relievers coming between now and Spring Training.