ATLANTA — Braves general manager Alex Anthopolous got the MLB winter meetings started off with a bang for Atlanta on the first day.
On Sunday night, the Braves acquired outfielder Jarred Kelenic, left-handed starting pitcher Marco Gonzales and first baseman Evan White in exchange for Atlanta's No. 7 prospect, RHP Cole Philips and newly-acquired RHP Jackson Kowar, the team announced.
Kelenic is just 24 years old and is two years removed from being the No. 4 prospect in the entire MLB, according to MLB.com. The left-handed hitting outfielder had the best year of his young career in 2023, slashing .253/.327/.746 while hitting 11 home runs and driving in 49 RBI. He stole 13 bags and had 94 hits for Seattle in 105 games.
Kelenic was drafted 6th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft by the New York Mets before being traded to Seattle in the deal that brought back current Mets closer Edwin Diaz.
He missed time in 2023 after kicking a water cooler and fracturing his left foot in a game against the Twins in July.
For now, Kelenic presents the Braves' most realistic starting left fielder option, while Gonzales figures to be a back end of the rotation innings eater. 11Alive's Braves insider Grant McAuley tweeted that Anthopoulos believes Kelenic and Vaughn Grissom will provide a left field competition and potential platoon scenario and that there is likely not a need to address left field any further.
Braves fans are hoping this is just the beginning of the moves at the winter meetings in Nashville.
11Alive's Maria Martin will be in Nashville with updates on what the Braves are doing throughout the week. You can follow along with what the Braves are doing on her X page all week long.
