Braves Outfielder Claimed Off Waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays — A Surprising Roster Shake-Up That No One Saw Coming.vc
The move, which signals major offseason changes for Atlanta, saw the Rays quietly scoop up potential “hidden gem” Jake Fraley, leaving Braves fans stunned and wondering what’s next for their outfield depth.
ATLANTA — In a “surprising roster shake-up that no one saw coming,” the Atlanta Braves have lost a piece of their outfield depth. Outfielder Jake Fraley was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, in a move that has stunned Braves fans.
The transaction, which happened just as the 2025 offseason officially began, is one of the first signals of “major offseason changes” for the Braves’ roster.
The move comes as a surprise because Fraley, who was acquired by the Braves from the Cincinnati Reds in August, had been sharp in his brief nine-game stint with Atlanta. He batted .304 and provided valuable defensive depth before a season-ending oblique injury landed him on the 60-day IL in mid-September.
Why the “Stunning” Move Happened
The waiver move was a procedural one, but it speaks volumes about Atlanta’s offseason strategy. Fraley was officially reinstated from the 60-day injured list on Thursday, a move that required him to be added back to the 40-man roster. The Braves, facing a 40-man roster crunch, immediately placed him on waivers
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The decision was likely financial. Fraley, who is arbitration-eligible, was projected to earn a salary of approximately $3.6 million in 2026. The Braves front office was evidently not planning to tender him that contract and risked waiving him, hoping he would pass through unclaimed.
The Rays “Quietly Scoop Up” a Hidden Gem
The risk did not pay off. The Tampa Bay Rays—a team famous for “quietly scooping up” undervalued, high-upside players—immediately claimed him.
For the Rays, the move is a reunion; Fraley was originally their second-round draft pick in 2016. He is a career .261/.344/.432 hitter against right-handed pitching, making him an ideal platoon bat that the Rays specialize in maximizing.
For Braves fans, the move is a frustrating one. They watched a productive player with a valuable skillset be given away for nothing, only to be snapped up by one of the savviest organizations in baseball.
To fill the new hole in their outfield depth, the Braves quickly claimed glove-first, low-bat outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals, signaling a clear shift in their bench-building philosophy.
