Two Former Braves Land New Teams Early in Offseason

This article looks at two former Atlanta Braves players, right-hander Wander Suero and outfielder Carlos Rodriguez. Both have found new homes on minor league deals.

Let’s break down their journeys, what these recent moves to the Athletics and Padres could mean, and how the Braves have responded by quietly restocking their depth with fresh bullpen arms and outfield options.

Wander Suero Lands with Athletics After Roller-Coaster Braves Stint

After a wild year that included time with the Braves and a short stop with the Mets, veteran reliever Wander Suero signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics. The 34-year-old righty officially joined the organization on November 20 and reported to Triple-A Las Vegas, hoping to pitch his way back up.

From Spring Invite to DFA: Suero’s 2024 Journey

Suero’s 2024 path really shows what veteran relievers go through trying to stick in the majors. He first signed with the Atlanta Braves on a Spring Training invite, which was a low-risk move for a team always looking for bullpen help.

In Triple-A Gwinnett, he did his job and put together a solid run that earned him a shot with the big club. But once promoted, the results just didn’t come together.

Over just 6 1/3 innings with Atlanta, Suero gave up runs at an 11.37 ERA clip. For a contending team like the Braves, that kind of rough patch can end a stint fast, and he was designated for assignment in September.

Brief Mets Stop and a Career Snapshot

After leaving Atlanta, Suero landed with the New York Mets, a team short on pitching depth. He never actually got into a major league game for them, though, before moving on and now ending up with Oakland.

Suero’s big league career spans 196 games, most of them with the Washington Nationals from 2018 to 2021. His career ERA sits at 4.96, which paints him as a serviceable, sometimes unpredictable, middle reliever — the kind who needs to prove himself every year.

Carlos Rodriguez Joins Padres After Quiet Braves Tenure

On the position-player side, outfielder Carlos Rodriguez has also moved on, signing a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres on November 25. He’ll start his Padres run at Triple-A with El Paso and is hoping to turn prospect buzz into a real big league shot.

From Brewers Prospect to Braves 40-Man Roster

Rodriguez’s story is more about upside than track record. He came up in the Milwaukee Brewers system, then joined the Braves and quickly got some attention from scouts.

Inside the Braves organization, he climbed high enough to rank as the No. 25 prospect in their loaded minor league system. The Braves saw enough in him to add him to their 40-man roster and eventually call him up to the majors.

But even though he suited up, Rodriguez never actually played in a big league game for Atlanta. Timing and roster shuffling can do that to guys on the fringe.

Triple-A Track Record and Padres Opportunity

Rodriguez’s Triple-A numbers show a player still working to round out his game. In 159 games at the level, he’s posted a .247 batting average and a .642 OPS, with eight home runs and 42 RBIs.

Those stats don’t exactly jump off the page, but they do show he’s got tools and room to improve. For the Padres, it’s a classic depth move with a bit of upside.

Rodriguez is just 24 years old, and San Diego has given young players chances if they show something at Triple-A. A hot streak in El Paso could put him in the mix for a call-up, especially if injuries or slumps hit the outfield.

How the Braves Are Rebuilding Their Depth Chart

With Suero and Rodriguez gone, the Braves haven’t just watched. Organizational depth — especially in the bullpen and outfield — stays a top priority for a club with playoff hopes year after year.

New Faces: Jacob Wallace and Brewer Hicklen

Atlanta has already started patching up the roster. They’ve signed a new wave of minor league deals, with Jacob Wallace and Brewer Hicklen leading the way.

Both guys have at least a taste of major league action. That’s pretty important for a club that wants its first call-ups to actually be ready for the show.

Moves like these barely make a blip in the news cycle, but they’re the kind of choices that help contenders hang on through a 162-game grind. The Braves swap out players like Suero and Rodriguez, then bring in new faces to keep things fresh.

It’s all about staying sharp. When injuries and slumps pop up—and they always do—someone’s got to be ready to jump in.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Two Departed Braves Players Find New Homes Early in Offseason