The Braves have signed relievers Penn Murfee and Jackson Stephens to one-year split contracts. A split contract means that the player is paid at different rates for time spent in the majors versus time spent in Triple-A. Both pitchers have been added to Atlanta’s 40-man roster. Following an active non-tender deadline, the team still has seven openings on the 40-man roster.
Murfee and Stephens were both released from the roster in recent weeks. Murfee was released by Atlanta at the non-tender deadline. Stephens was released shortly before that after going unclaimed on outright waivers.
Murfee had just been claimed off waivers by the Braves a few days before he was released. The 29-year-old righty has pitched in 80 major league games, all with the Mariners over the last two seasons. Murfee has done well by relying heavily on a sweeping slider. In 83 1/3 innings, he has a 2.70 ERA while striking out nearly 28% of batters faced. He has had success against right and left handed batters.
Murfee’s season ended prematurely in June. The 29-year-old underwent elbow surgery to repair a UCL tear. As a result, he’ll be out for the majority of next season. There is no injured list during the offseason, which explains Seattle’s decision to release him despite his impressive body of work.
The Braves have enough roster space to keep Murfee on the roster for the time being. If he remains on the roster for the rest of the offseason, he could be placed on the 60-day injured list whenever they need a 40-man spot beginning with Spring Training.
Stephens, 29, has spent the previous two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. In 2022, he pitched in the big leagues again, posting a 3.69 ERA in 53 2/3 innings. He didn’t see as much action this season, totaling only 12 MLB innings in five September appearances. Stephens had a 3.28 ERA and a 26% strikeout rate in 24 2/3 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett.
Because he is out of minor league options, he would have to start next season on the active roster or be subject to waivers. If the Braves successfully passed Stephens through waivers unclaimed, he would be eligible for free agency. Because he has less than five years of service, he would have to forego his guaranteed salary in order to become a free agent. The Braves increased their chances of retaining Stephens as non-roster depth by signing him to a split deal that locks in an undisclosed amount of money for whatever time he spends in Triple-A.
Leave a Reply