The Atlanta Braves have signed right-handed pitcher Joel Payamps to a one-year contract worth $2.25 million. This agreement, finalized on Monday, marks a strategic move by the team to strengthen its bullpen by retaining a seasoned player. Payamps joined the Braves off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers late last season and has since demonstrated his potential value.
Payamps, aged 31, made a brief appearance with the Braves, allowing just one run in 2 2/3 innings. Overall, he concluded the 2023 season with a 6.84 ERA across 30 games. Throughout his seven seasons in Major League Baseball, he has maintained a more favorable 3.41 ERA and recorded a total of 10 saves. Notably, Payamps achieved a career-high of six saves while playing for Milwaukee in the 2024 season.
In addition to re-signing Payamps, the Braves have been active in the offseason. Just days prior, on Wednesday, the team announced the re-signing of closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year deal worth $16 million. This move indicates the Braves’ commitment to bolstering their bullpen with experienced talent.
Busy Offseason for the Braves
The Braves’ offseason has been marked by significant activity as they aim to refine their roster. In a notable trade, the team acquired Mauricio Dubón from the Houston Astros, sending Nick Allen in the opposite direction. Such moves reflect the management’s dedication to enhancing team performance ahead of the upcoming season.
As the Braves continue to make strategic decisions, the retention of players like Payamps and Iglesias highlights their focus on maintaining a competitive edge. The team’s proactive approach in the offseason could prove crucial as they prepare to contend in the highly competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.
