Braves Decline on Reed; Extend QO to McCann
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The news continues fast and furious: two official news bits this afternoon from the Atlanta Braves’ front office:
#Braves have made a qualifying contract offer to C Brian McCann.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 4, 2013
#Braves have declined to exercise the contract option on OF Reed Johnson for the 2014 season.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 4, 2013
Since we discussed the McCann situation this morning, I won’t beat that dead horse any further, except to say that he now has 7 days to formally accept this $14.1 million/1 year offer (he won’t). The Reed Johnson situation bears a mention, however.
Previously, I had written on my expectation that Reed’s $1.6 million option would be declined. Last week came news from AJC beat writer David O’Brien that Atlanta would exercise the option to bring him back. Now we get the official word: the 36-year-old outfielder will receive a $150,000 buyout check and is now a free agent.
The fallout? As of the moment, the outfield depth chart now looks like this: Justin Upton, B.J. Upton, Jason Heyward, Jordan Schafer, and Joey Terdoslavich (he being the apparent winner in this decision). I suppose you’d have to think that Jose Constanza and Todd Cunningham also are in the running for backup slots, though I expect Constanza to eventually be released as a minor league free agent.