After failing to secure Aaron Nola, the Atlanta Braves have acquired Reynaldo Lopez, 29, in free agency. Lopez will convert to a starting pitcher.토토사이트
Atlanta announced on Jan. 21 that it had signed Lopez to a three-year contract. Three years, $30 million guaranteed. It averages $10 million per year.
There’s also a $4 million buyout and an $8 million club option for the 2027 season. That’s three years, $30 million, and up to four years, $34 million.
Lopez’s salary for the 2024 season is $4 million, with $11 million for the upcoming 2025 and 2026 seasons. If the team option is exercised, his salary for the 2027 season is $8 million.
Lopez, an eight-year major leaguer, has played for three organizations this season. He played for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Indians.
His numbers weren’t bad. In all 68 games, Lopez pitched 66 innings in relief, going 3-7 with a 3.27 ERA. He struck out 83 batters.
However, Lopez will make the transition to starting pitcher in the 2024 season. The last time Lopez was a full-time starter was in the 2020 season. It will be a four-year transition.
The success of his transition will depend on his ability to maintain his velocity. Lopez has averaged 98.4 mph on his four-seam fastball this season.
But in 2020, his last season as a starter, he hit 94.3 mph. Narrowing that gap will likely determine his success as a starter.
Meanwhile, Atlanta will look to add Sonny Gray after missing out on Nola as a priority in free agency.