The door is now open for a reunion with a couple of key Braves players from last year
Two former Braves are now free agents after the Chicago White Sox released them just before the end of Spring Training. Does that mean Alex Anthopoulos is ready to swoop in?
The Chicago White Sox will have a large number of former Braves on their opening day roster in 2024. However, some key players from the 2023 Braves did not make the cut and are now free to join with any MLB team.
Kevin Pillar is now hunting for a new team.
Pillar was an important element for the Braves last season, platooning with Eddie Rosario in left field. Going into 2024, Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta Braves organisation opted to take a different approach and now had a new platoon in Jarred Kelenic and Adam Duvall.
Kevin Pillar went into free agency and ultimately signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox while getting an invitation to Spring Training. His numbers weren’t terrible this spring, but unfortunately they also weren’t strong enough to land him an Opening Day roster spot.
Former #Braves OF Kevin Pillar was released by the White Sox. He batted .250 with 6 2B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, and 2BB/12K in 18 games this ST. He was in camp with Chicago on a minor league deal.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) March 23, 2024
With Andrew Benintendi, Luis Robert Jr., Dominic Fletcher, and Gavin Sheets on the MLB roster, it’s understandable that the White Sox didn’t have room for Pillar. However, having an experienced leader like Pillar, who still has so much to offer on the field and in the locker room, would be ideal in an emergency situation.
While it may seem like the Atlanta Braves are notorious for resigning former players, Atlanta has no room for Pillar on their roster either. After the recent signing of Adam Duvall, the Braves outfield is set with some insurance.
Jesse Chavez now looking for one last dance
The other transaction by Chicago that really got Braves country buzzing, was the White Sox’s decision to release 40 year-old relief pitcher Jesse Chavez. King Jesse is a fan-favorite in Atlanta, and the hopes for a reunion seem to make a lot of sense. You can never have enough bullpen depth, so Chavez returning to Atlanta on a minor league deal isn’t out of the realm of possiblity.
Jesse Chavez this spring 👀
.458 BABIP
5.6% BB
22.2% K
4.59 FIP
3.47 xFIP56% Ground Ball
…he allowed six of his nine earned runs in his very first appearance.
Over his last six appearances, Chavez posted a 4.50 ERA, 3.8% BB, 23.1% K, 2.73 FIP ✍🏼 pic.twitter.com/cggO9eMSJb https://t.co/fVyV497tXC
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) March 23, 2024
Chavez performed admirably for Atlanta in 2023, but his success did not carry over to Spring Training with Chicago. In just seven innings, Chavez gave up nine earned runs and 12 hits. However, Jesse has a habit of flipping the switch when he puts on a Braves jersey, so many fans will be pounding the table for Alex Anthopoulos to call him back.
