ATLANTA ADDS KELENIC
The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Jarred Kelenic, pitcher Marco Gonzales, first baseman Evan White and cash from the Seattle Mariners for pitchers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
Kelenic is the main piece in this trade for the Braves. He should get the opportunity to play in left field for Atlanta. After a breakout year in 2023, he could compete with Vaughn Grissom for at-bats. It is reported that Atlanta will try to trade Gonzales. If not, he should be a starter at the back end of the rotation for the Braves. White has not appeared in a big-league game since 2021, so expect him to spend time in Triple-A ball as a depth option at first base. The cash Atlanta is receiving will help offset the cost of both Gonzales and White.
What does it give the Seattle Mariners
For the Mariners, moving out the salaries of both Gonzales ($12 million) and White ($7 million) was the most important element of this trade. Along with trading former third baseman Eugenio Suarez (to Arizona), the Mariners have accomplished their goal of shedding salary so far this off-season. Kowar could get a look in the bullpen for Seattle next season with a strong spring, while Phillips–a pitcher who can throw 100mph–is still a few years away from the big leagues after being drafted by Atlanta in round 2 of the 2022 MLB Draft.
Fantasy impact
Kelenic was having his best fantasy season hitting in the middle of the Mariners lineup in 2023 (before an injury slowed him down). Now that he is in Atlanta, there should be plenty of RBI opportunities. Gonzales is a question mark at this time with his 2024 destination unknown. Kowar does not have much fantasy value, while Phillips is a keeper-league option in many deep drafts in '24. As for White, expect him to be playing most of the time in the minors.
