November 7: Thompson will actually not become a minor league free agent, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He will stay in the Cards’ organization as part of the Triple-A Memphis roster. This appears to be because he spent the entire 2025 season on the major league injured list. Therefore, it doesn’t count as a minor league season and he doesn’t qualify for seven-year minor league free agency.
November 6: The Braves claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the Cardinals, relays Jeff Jones of The Belleville News-Democrat. St. Louis also outrighted left-handed pitchers Anthony Veneziano and Zack Thompson while selecting Bryan Torres onto the 40-man roster.
Siani, 26, is a glove-first center fielder. He has played in parts of four big league seasons but only got significant action in 2024. The lefty batter turned in a .228/.285/.285 slash with two homers and 20 steals over 124 games that year. Siani made just 19 big league appearances this past season. He spent the bulk of the season at Triple-A Memphis, where he slumped to a .209/.307/.329 batting line across 430 trips to the plate. Siani stole 28 bases and plays excellent outfield defense, but the bat is a significant question. He has one minor league option remanning.
Torres, 28, gets a 40-man roster spot after a decade in the professional ranks. He’s a 5’7″ utility player who moved between second base and the corner outfield spots. The lefty-hitting Torres had a breakout season with Memphis, batting .328/.441/.464 while walking more often than he struck out. He would have become a seven-year minor league free agent tonight if the Cardinals hadn’t put him on the 40-man roster.
Veneziano and Thompson will each become minor league free agents after going unclaimed on waivers. The 28-year-old Veneziano was a late-season waiver claim from Miami who pitched four innings of two-run ball for the Cards. He owns a 3.98 ERA over 40 2/3 career frames. Thompson, 28, was a first-round pick out of the University of Kentucky back in 2019. He missed the entire 2025 season with a torn lat.
Braves have claimied every former Reds OF who hit the waiver wire this year.
I mean, he was a Cardinal though.
Siani was a Red then a Cardinal
This would’ve been a much more interesting story if the headline was, ‘Braves Claim Mike Siani From Raiders’.
They are actually related in some fashion.
Saw both of them play over time – the youngster most recently in the minors a couple of times. At that point I thought that he would never hit enough to make the majors in any capacity…he just did not have the bat speed and strength of a real prospect.
Shown here while passionately greeting a wall.
Hahaha he looks like he’s riding the local fair ride, whatever its called?…it is the best ride ever to be honest lol
Gravitron!
It’s about time Torres got the credit he deserves! Hopefully Bloom will trade Donovan and get a starting pitcher given that they have Weatherholt, Prieto, Torres from the left side and Fermin, Sagasse from the right side who can all play multiple infield positions and all can handle a corner outfield spot.
AA off his meds again? Why cut Fraley with more upside, then claim a similar lefty w/o the bat? I think he just likes picking through the rejects!
Not sure Fraley can play CF. He’s the fourth OF at best anyway.
Fraley wasn’t cut. He was claimed when the Braves had to find room for the 60 day IL guys on the 40 man. They tried to sneak him through, Ray’s got him, so they picked up something else
Here we go!! Clearance on aisle Bravos…smh!
Siani has made some pretty amazing defensive plays in the big leagues. Pinch runner/late innings defensive replacement makes sense for him
Trust me, this guy is one heleva defender.
Why do these comments have to be made? Every team makes these sourts of acquisition and there are always fans who say this sort of thing.
Maybe because it is true.
Yes. Its true that every team does these depth moves. All of them. It’s not an indicator of payroll. The Braves payroll actually exceeds the luxury tax. If you agree with him you’re just factually wrong.
Siani is prearb league minimum. Fraley is estimated to get 3.6M in arb. They just declined options on P. Johnson and Kinley too, saving another almost 10M.
I think AA is just trying to get as much funds as he can to participate in free agency more fully. You can get middling relievers and 5th outfielders whenever.
Hahaha sure, how did that work out, this past season?!
If they dont reinvest this 13M, and then raise payroll on that by 15+, ill bring the pitchforks. But I do think last year was all about dipping back under the luxury tax. But yeah, the mixed messaging from FO is weird.
“Hahaha..How did that work out”..If you knew baseball, you’d already know, that no plan works every single time.
That being said, all but one, maybe two teams would trade their last 5+ years for the Braves last 5+ years.
Surprised by the cards cutting Thompson. Guy has shown flashes in the past
Guy has shown nothing
I agree, but then again hes had his chances to figure it out. Ive always felt hed make a good addition to the roster, but hes hurt often and when hes not hurt he struggles.
Feels like someone will pick him up, hes not done in the majors at 28
Thompson hasn’t had a healthy season in a while. Can’t make the club in the tub.
Can Saini pitch?
What an upgrade for the Cardinals! This might be the most significant move they make all offseason
Feels like there gonna be trading alot. Bloom is in control now and Mozeliak is gone.
Michael Siani needs some money!
Next thing you know, the Braves will be claiming Fred Biletnikoff. (Apologies, I can’t help myself.)
Doh!
Best of luck Michael Siani. I hope you get a chance to do what you do best at the ML level. You were a valiant, team first performer during a dark season in St. Louis. Thanks for the memories.
Check out the juxtaposition of this picture and the picture of the Senga store above. Creepy, eh? Looks like a teeny Sinai climbing the beanstalk next to the giant Senga