BREAKING: Braves re-sign reliever Pierce Johnson to two-year deal

The trade deadline acquisition was absolutely phenomenal down the stretch for Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that they have signed reliever Pierce Johnson, a pending free agent, to a multi-year deal to return to Atlanta. 

✍️✍️✍️ pic.twitter.com/58Wu55hVwL

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 25, 2023

Johnson, 32, is receiving a two-year deal worth up to $14.25 million. Both seasons are at a $7M salary, with a club option for 2026 at the same price with a $250,000 buyout. 

As is customary for Atlanta's recent extensions and signings, Pierce is agreeing to donate 1% to the Atlanta Braves Foundation. 

A 1st rounder by the Cubs in the 2012 MLB Draft, Johnson signed a one year, $5M deal with the Colorado Rockies in December of 2022. Pitching in 43 games for them prior to the trade deadline, he put up a 1-5 record and 6.00 ERA in 39.0 innings, striking out 58 and walking 25. 

Despite the poor statistical performance, Atlanta sent minor-league pitchers Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon for Johnson at the deadline, gambling that the Braves coaching staff (and getting him out of the high mountain elevation) would work wonders. 

They bet correctly. 

Johnson was one of the more effective relievers down the stretch for Atlanta, pitching in 24 games (23.2 innings) with only two earned runs allowed, striking out 32 and walking five. He worked his way into the high-leverage mix for Atlanta, mixing into the 6th, 7th, & 8th innings depending on situation and handedness of the opposing lineup. 

Johnson's return goes a long way to stabilizing a bullpen that was in danger of being decimated by free agency this offseason. Brad Hand, Kirby Yates, & Collin McHugh all have pricey club or mutual options that Atlanta's expected to decline, while Joe Jiménez and Jesse Chavez are unrestricted free agents. Those six pitchers combined for 249.8 innings last season, and returning Johnson is a step in filling that hole in the bullpen. 

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