Braves avoid arbitration with Huascar Ynoa; add Guillorme as utility infielder

The Braves brought in former Mets infielder Luis Guillorme on a major league deal

The Atlanta Braves announced tonight that they have agreed to contracts with both pitcher Huascar Ynoa and infielder Luis Guillorme for the 2024 season. 

Ynoa, 25, was set for his first year of arbitration this season. He will instead make $825,000 on a one-year deal, with two additional seasons of team control remaining before free agency. 

Ynoa missed all of 2024 for recovery from Tommy John surgery. President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos specifically named Ynoa when discussing potential fifth starters earlier this week on a Georgia radio show. 

In his major league career, Ynoa's made 31 appearances (24 starts) with a 4-8 record and a 5.22 ERA. His last full season in the majors was 2021, where he went 4-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 17 starts. Pitching 91 innings, he struck out 100 batters (9.9 K/9) and walked 25 (4.1), but homers were a problem, with 14 (1.6 HR/9) on the season.

However, prior to breaking his hand against Milwaukee that season, Ynoa was seemingly putting everything together: a 4-1 record in seven starts, with a 2.23 ERA and 44 strikeouts to only nine walks. He is reportedly fully healthy and has no restrictions for spring training. 

The #Braves today signed RHP Huascar Ynoa ($825,000) and INF Luis Guillorme ($1.1 million) to one-year contracts for the 2024 season.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) January 5, 2024

Atlanta also added former New York Mets infielder Luis Guillorme to a one year deal valued at $1.1M for the 2024 season.  

Guillorme, 29, was granted free agency after the 2023 season despite having two remaining years of team control. Debuting in 2018, Guillorme's a career .261 hitter with experience at second, third, and shortstop. However, he found himself on the outside looking in at New York's youth movement last season, playing in only 54 games after missing three months during the heart of the season with a calf strain. 

Alex Anthopoulos declined to name Bryce Elder as the #5 starter

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