Braves Boost Outfield with Fraley Acquisition

The Atlanta Braves have strengthened their outfield as they approach the end of the season by claiming Jake Fraley off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds announced the move on Tuesday after designating Fraley for assignment on Sunday.

At 30 years old, Fraley has spent the last two seasons with the Reds, having been acquired in 2022 as part of the trade that sent Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez to the Seattle Mariners. Fraley enjoyed the best season of his career in 2023, recording 15 home runs and 65 RBIs with a .256 batting average.

This year, Fraley has participated in 67 games, contributing six homers and 23 RBIs while posting a batting line of .232/.332/.387. His season took a slight turn when he hyper-extended his knee during the 10th inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, but fortunately, he did not need to go on the injured list.

Fraley is currently earning $3.1 million with the Reds, entering what would be his final year of arbitration this offseason. However, the Reds were unlikely to tender him a contract due to an abundance of lefty batters in their outfield.

Reds manager Terry Francona expressed the difficult nature of roster decisions, stating, "I don’t think there’s ever an easy (cut), regardless of how guys are. You’re making decisions that alter their life, and it’s a big deal." The Reds currently sit at 66-60, just a game behind the New York Mets, who hold the final wild card spot in the playoffs.

The Braves, on the other hand, have a record of 56-69 and find themselves 10.5 games back in their quest for postseason contention.