Jake Fraley found a new major-league home quickly after Cincinnati designated him for assignment on August 17, with the Atlanta Braves claiming the outfielder off waivers and taking on the prorated remainder of his $3.13 million contract.
When the Reds made the DFA move, they said the timing was aimed at giving Fraley a chance to finish the season with a club that might offer more playing time, rather than keep him on Cincinnati’s bench after the additions of Miguel Andújar and Ke’Bryan Hayes at the trade deadline. Reds manager Terry Francona explained that the idea was to let Fraley go to a spot where he might earn more opportunities to play, which he understood.
Fraley, one of four players Cincinnati acquired from Seattle in the March 2022 trade for Eugenio Suárez and Jesse Winker, hit .232 with six home runs and a .710 OPS in 67 games for the Reds this season. In his Reds career, he has a .260 batting average with 38 homers, 49 stolen bases and a .757 OPS across 362 games.
The Braves’ claim gives Fraley a chance to contribute for a club in the playoff hunt and adds depth to Atlanta’s outfield options going forward. His previous stint with Cincinnati showed a combination of power and speed, traits teams value in a flexible bench role or projected platoon situations.
What this means moving forward:
– Fraley adds experienced outfield depth for Atlanta and provides potential late-inning or spot-start versatility.
– For Fraley, the change of scenery is an opportunity to showcase his bat and speed in more regular action.
– The move reflects a broader strategy to optimize playing time for fringier players while shoring up depth for contending teams.
Summary: Fraley’s quick transition to the Braves supplies both sides with a practical path forward—Atlanta gains depth and a license to evaluate Fraley in real-game opportunities, while Fraley gains a fresh chance to prove himself with more consistent playing time.
Overall, the acquisition carries a positive tone for Fraley, who can seize a renewed chance to contribute; for Atlanta, it’s a low-risk addition that could pay dividends down the stretch.