The Braves unexpectedly announced on Wednesday that they had signed reliever Pierce Johnson to a two-year contract with a club option for 2026, in typical Alex Anthopoulos manner. Johnson is guaranteed $7 million under the terms of the pact for 2024 and 2025. There is also a $7 million club option for 2026 with a $250,000 buyout. Over the course of the agreement, Johnson is guaranteed a total of $14.25 million.
Although Johnson was supposed to be a free agency this off-season, the deal is officially classified as an extension rather than a signing as a free agent. However, free agency doesn’t really begin for another two weeks, or five days after the World Series, so it’s even more amazing that the Braves were able to seal this deal. Once free agency began, Johnson could have negotiated a deal with each of the 30 teams, guaranteeing he would have received the best deal possible. He obviously wanted to return, given how much he enjoyed his time in Atlanta and that he passed up the opportunity to join now.
It is easy to understand why the Braves made this transaction. Upon joining Atlanta’s bullpen in the middle of the season from Colorado, Johnson quickly made a name for himself as one of the team’s best relievers. Johnson appeared in 24 games for the Braves in all, recording a 2.83 FIP and a 0.76 ERA. With the Braves, he walked just 1.14 batters per nine innings while striking out 12.17, making him one of the greatest relievers in baseball during the second half of 2023. He also had a 56% ground ball rate. And with a relatively short contract and $7 million annually for that kind of reliever, the organization is offering enough value to make this an easy option for the front office.
Minter is lock to at least have his contract tendered, if not more than that in the shape of an extension, but either way he’ll be back next year. My guess is Nick Anderson gets tendered a contract as well after a strong debut season with Atlanta. Add in Iglesias and now Johnson, that at least gives you a solid 4 guys to build off of the rest of the winter.
Minter will return for the following season, guaranteed to at least have his contract tendered, if not more in the form of an extension. After a successful rookie season with Atlanta, I predict that Nick Anderson will also receive a contract offer. With Johnson joining Iglesias, you at least have four reliable players to base your team on for the remainder of the winter.
