MLB Shocker: Braves Score Bullpen Ace in Blockbuster Trade! Find Out the Surprising Details and White Sox’s Bold Move!”
Atlanta and the White Sox executed the inaugural significant trade of the offseason on Thursday night, as the Braves secured left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer in exchange for a five-player package, signaling Chicago’s intent to revamp its roster.
Bummer, aged 30, comes to bolster the Braves’ already deep bullpen, despite his 6.79 ERA this season, which was nearly twice his Fielding Independent Pitching number.White Sox Atlanta sent back to Chicago a package comprising right-hander Michael Soroka, who was potentially facing a release on Friday’s nontender deadline, along with left-hander Jared Shuster, shortstop Braden Shewmake, infielder Nicky Lopez, and right-hander Riley Gowens.
White Sox
The Braves are placing their bets on a rebound from Bummer, who, despite his challenging numbers this season, exhibited a solid track record in previous years, with a 3.03 ERA in 213.2 innings over the first six years of his career. Bummer, known for his ability to induce groundballs 58.2% of the time and record 78 strikeouts in 58.1 innings, aims to return to his earlier form. However, he struggled to strand runners this season, with a major league-worst 55.4%, a statistic inconsistent with his career average.
The deal includes a contract for Bummer worth $5.5 million in 2024, with club options for $7.25 million in 2025 and $7.5 million in 2026. He joins a formidable Braves bullpen featuring closer Raisel Iglesias, left-hander A.J. Minter, and the re-signed right-handers Joe Jimenez and Pierce Johnson.
In White Sox General Manager Chris Getz’s first trade, the centerpiece is Soroka, a 26-year-old pitcher who, once a top prospect, faced setbacks with two torn right Achilles tendons. Despite returning to the big leagues in 2023, Soroka was shut down in September due to forearm tightness. White Sox The young pitcher, set to become a free agent after the 2024 season, had an impressive breakout season in 2019, making the National League All-Star team with a 2.68 ERA in 174.2 innings.
Other players involved in the trade include 25-year-old Shuster, a first-round pick in 2020, who had a debut season in 2023 with a 5.81 ERA over 11 starts. Shewmake, Atlanta’s first-round pick in 2019, struggled in his brief introduction to the big leagues this season after a productive stint at Triple-A. White Sox Finally, 24-year-old Gowens, the only player without big league experience, was a ninth-round draft pick in 2023, posting a 1.15 ERA in rookie ball and Low-A.
