Monday was always expected to be quite a busy one for Atlanta, as some pretty obvious decisions had to be made regarding the status of certain Braves for 2025. For example, the Braves exercised the 2025 team option on Marcell Ozuna and extended a qualifying offer to Max Fried. And while it made sense to decline the team option for Luke Jackson, the news started to get surprising when the Braves decided to decline the team option for Travis d'Arnaud as well.

The biggest and most surprising news of the day, however, was that reliever Joe Jimenez, one of the best players in baseball last year, will be sidelined for the next 8 to 12 months due to knee surgery. This is a big and unfortunate development for Atlanta, as the backend of the bullpen was expected to once again be a major strength for the Braves.

Could the rejection of d'Arnaud's option be related to Jimenez's injury? Possibly, since both should receive similar salaries in 2025. Regardless of whether that connection exists or not, the bottom line is that while the Braves have more money to work with this offseason, they also have another big need to fill their bullpen.

Braves News

Marcell Ozuna has been named a finalist for the Silver Slugger Award for DH in the Netherlands. Here are the other finalists:

Drake Baldwin is considered the Braves' top prospect, according to Baseball America. His importance to the Braves may have increased significantly with the news about d'Arnaud.

Allan Winans is the latest player to be discussed in the 2024 Braves player review series.

Former Giants general manager Pete Putila is joining the Braves as assistant GM. He will focus on leading the Braves' international scouting department.

The Braves were the top team in baseball as they were ranked as having the game's best fan experience in the 2024 Voice of the Consumer program.

MLB News

Pitcher Gerrit Cole remains with the Yankees after opting out of his contract over the weekend. Cole and New York reworked the rest of his contract on Monday.

The Brewers' Matt Arnold was named the 2024 MLB Manager of the Year.

MLB Trade Rumors has released its top 50 free agent predictions.

Eight names were announced for Hall of Fame selection on the Era Committee ballot.

Clayton Kershaw declined his player option.

Across baseball, 13 players received qualifying offers heading into free agency.

Guardians' David Fry will miss the start of 2025 due to elbow surgery.

Nathan Eovaldi declined his player option with the Rangers.