The Braves have signed right-hander Buck Farmer to a minor league deal. The Nati Sports X account was the first to report the news, and Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Farmer will receive an invitation to the Braves’ big league spring camp.
Farmer was born in Conyers, Georgia and played his college ball at Georgia Tech, so the signing represents something of a homecoming for the veteran reliever. (Not to mention an early birthday present, as Farmer turns 34 on Thursday.). The Braves actually made Farmer a 46th-round pick in the 2009 draft but he elected to attend college instead, and his pro career didn’t officially begin until he was a fifth-round pick for the Tigers in 2013.
In terms of bottom-line results, his 2024 campaign was the best of his 11 big league seasons. Farmer posted a 3.04 ERA over 71 innings for the Reds, chewing up innings as a bullpen workhorse for the second consecutive year. His 3.94 SIERA was more reflective of his overall performance, as Farmer had an unimpressive 9.7% walk rate and roughly a league-average 23.4% strikeout rate, but he did a good job of limiting hard contact.
Since Opening Day 2018, Farmer has posted a 4.03 ERA, 23.5% strikeout rate, and 9.8% walk rate across 386 2/3 Major League inning with Detroit and Cincinnati. A rough 2021 season with the Tigers skewed those numbers upwards a bit, but it still represents some solid production and durability for Farmer, even if he lacked the standout secondary statistics to land a guaranteed contract.
Farmer is the latest in a long line of veteran non-roster invites battling for jobs in the Atlanta bullpen, and his track record could give him a bit of an edge within a busy competition. Jake Diekman, Chasen Shreve, Dylan Covey, Wander Suero, Jordan Weems, Enyel De Los Santos, and Enoli Paredes are also in camp on minor league contracts, not to mention the Braves’ in-house prospects and starter candidates who could be battling for relief work. The Braves had some holes to fill after losing several relievers in free agency, and Joe Jimenez to what might be a season-ending knee surgery.
Seemed like a guy who could snag a Major League deal, but alas.
I agree. Not sure why he didn’t get a major league deal. He was a solid workhorse the last 3 years in Cinci.
Buck won’t be in the minors long…I don’t understand why the Reds didn’t bring him back considering the numbers he put up with them
Could have been Buck’s choice, not the Reds.
Buck chose a minor league contract with the Braves over a major league deal with the Reds? I doubt that. He deserved a major league deal.
I have said for three offseasons now that players remember how the front office treats people and how they did not support the players when it counted at the trade deadline in 2023 and even 2024, though honestly last year it should have been way before the deadline. Plus we saw a guy shipped out this offseason that questioned management. You haven’t seen any extensions after Greene, have you?
Buck may have bet on himself getting a major league deal elsewhere and lost. It has happened before. I agree he deserved a major league deal, but he will make the Braves bullpen.
Good luck to Buck.
His name is Buck and he’s here to….pitch.
I am surprised too that he only got a minor league deal. He pitched worse in 2022 than 2023 – but got a major league deal for 2023. As a Reds fan I hoped he would come back but the Barlow signing last week put the nail in his coffin.
A VERY good signing
61 games of 3 ERA ball equals minor league deal?
No, waiting until spring training to sign, limits the teams with roster space.
He will turn into gold for Atlanta’s bullpen
I always liked Farmer Buck. Saw him vs the Yankees in a ST game back with the Tigers. No one knew who he was and he mowed them down. A couple Yankee fans sitting with me were like, “Who is this guy?”
At least 2 of AAs MiL signees should break the ML team!!!!!!! (if not 3)
He’s not the type of guy that blows you away with his stuff, but he was consistently good and overused by the reds. Kind of the guy that pitches with a lot of grit as opposed to having devastating stuff. He should make their opening day roster. Wish him nothing but the best.
It takes all kinds of critters to make Farmer Buck’s fritters.
Farmersonly.com
rottentomatoes.com/m/motel_hell
Did they sign Buck Farmer to chuck baseballs or a farmer for a buck to shuck peanuts
Buck’s gonna make the kids at school say Uncle
There are two issues here that I find surprising: Like many others, I wonder why he did not get an MLB deal in the first place. And additionally, why did he sign a minor-league contract with Atlanta despite several others veteran relievers who aspire to pitch themselves onto the roster as well? His chances might have been better with less competition around him.
Gruß,
BSHH
He may have just wanted to play for a winner and/or be close to home.
What team doesn’t have competition for bullpen jobs? (CWS don’t count)
@BSHH: Farmer should make the Braves pen. He’s definitely better than any of the other non roster veteran invites (Kuhl, Diekman, Covey.)
I was hoping the Reds would sign him. Hope he has a great season
This is just a good deal and honestly I’m shocked it’s a minor league deal. But he’s pretty much a lock for the bullpen or should be. Welcome back home. Glad he gets to be a part of his hometown team