The Atlanta Braves have made a big move by acquiring two key players from the Angels. The trade, which occurred on Friday, saw the Braves receive first baseman Evan White and reliever Tyler Thomas in exchange for veteran catcher Max Stassi and infielder David Fletcher.
White and Thomas were recently acquired by the Braves, with White coming from a trade with the Mariners and Thomas being selected from the Mets in the Minor League portion of the Rule 5 Draft. White was a former top prospect with the Mariners and will provide the Angels with depth at first base. Thomas, on the other hand, will be competing for a spot in the bullpen.
In order to acquire these new players, the Angels traded away two fan favorites in Stassi and Fletcher. Stassi, who missed last season due to a hip injury and a family emergency, is due $7 million in 2024 with a $7.5 million option for ’25 that contains a $500,000 buyout. Fletcher, who played in just 33 games in the Majors in ’23, is owed $6 million in ’24 and $6.5 million in ’25, and has club options for ’26 and ’27. The Angels hope the new acquisitions will help rejuvenate the team and bring in some fresh talent.
Despite having played a limited number of games in the Majors, White comes with a hefty price tag due to his six-year, $24 million contract with the Mariners. He played just two games at Triple-A last year due to injuries and surgery, but the Angels are optimistic about his potential. Thomas, who has yet to reach the Majors, has shown promise in the minor leagues and could be a beneficial addition to the Angels’ bullpen.
Stassi, who has been with the Angels since 2019, was regarded as a strong defensive catcher and had his best year in ’21. Fletcher, one of the Angels’ longest-tenured players, had been with the team since 2018. His contact skills and defensive prowess made him a fan favorite, but his production dropped off in recent years.
The Braves’ acquisition of White and Thomas and the Angels’ trade of Stassi and Fletcher add some excitement to the upcoming season, as both teams hope to benefit from the new roster changes.