"We waving the white flag since Juan Soto joined Mets?"; "Dodgers scared af" - MLB fans react to Braves signing OF Jarred Kelenic in $2.3M deal

The Atlanta Braves will be looking to bounceback in a major way this upcoming season. Despite securing a playoff berth in 2024, the team was in no shape to make a deep postseason run due to the number of injuries plaguing the team. That being said, the team is expected to be healthy heading into 2025 and will be considered one of the top contenders in the NL.

While the team is expected to have a number of players back in the lineup, with their superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. remaining hopeful that he will be ready to go for Opening Day, the team is bringing back a familiar face. The Atlanta Braves announced on their social media account that the team was able to avoid arbitration with outfielder Jarred Kelenic, agreeing to a one-year, $2.3 million deal.

Even though Jarred Kelenic has failed to live up to the hype surrounding him after being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, he has shown flashes of his potential throughout his career. Kelenic had a decent, albeit uninspiring 2024 campaign with Atlanta, so after news that he signed a new deal with the team broke, fans took to social media to share their thoughts.

"We waving the white flag since Soto joined the Mets?"

"The guy you wouldn't even use at the end of the season?" another fan said.

"Dodgers scared af," one more fan added.

While the team being able to come to an agreement with Jarred Kelenic may not be Earth-shattering news, the outfielder is still only 25 years old and has shown potential in the past. At only $2,300,000, some fans believe that bringing Kelenic back into the fold is an underrated move that could help the team moving forward.

"Oh awesome. Glad he's coming back on board."

"Good deal tbh….minimal dollars on a prove it year" - another fan shared.

"I am happy about that! I wish the contract had been for a longer time, though. He is a very talented player!" - one more fan added.

Atlanta Braves have been rather quiet so far this offseason

Even though there is some frustration over the news that the Braves were able to reach agreement with Jarred Kelenic is in part to the outfielder underperforming at times, the rest comes from the team being quiet this offseason. Even though the bulk of Atlanta's core is already under contract, the team has made little noise this offseason, with Bryan De La Cruz being one of the team's lone moves.

The team has seen a number of player depart in free agency or on the trade market, including Travis d'Arnaud, Jorge Soler, and Charlie Morton. It remains to be seen if the team will begin making significant moves moving forward. However, with the Braves avoiding arbitration with Jarred Kelenic, they can shift their focus elsewhere.