Coming into spring training, the Atlanta Braves bullpen was one of the biggest question marks. The team added numerous relievers to minor league deals, and had pitchers like Angel Perdomo, who spent the entire 2024 on the 60-day IL, also vying for a spot.
Now, most of those NRI relievers have been reassigned to minor league camp, and Perdomo, who looked like a strong contender for the Opening Day roster, was traded to the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The #Braves today acquired a player to be named later or cash considerations from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for LHP Angel Perdomo.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 18, 2025
Why the Braves traded Angel Perdomo to the Angels
Unless the Braves were trying to fulfill a lifelong dream of Perdomo’s to be Angel on the Angels, this trade comes as a bit of a surprise. While the 6’8 lefty represented a bit of a wild card for the Braves, he had shown impressive strikeout potential in his MLB career, as he has a 35.8% k-rate in 48.2 MLB innings.
While he hadn’t quite demonstrated it this spring, striking out just six of the 30 batters he faced, he still had a 2.16 ERA in 8.1 innings, mostly thanks to a low BABIP.
The 31-year-old came to spring training without any options, which meant the Braves either needed to keep him on the 26-man roster or designate him for assignment or trade him if they decided he didn’t warrant a spot on the Opening Day roster. The Braves opted for the trade.
It’s still unclear what the Braves plan for the bullpen will be going into the season. Despite missing a key member of the pen thanks to a knee injury, the club opted not to replace Joe Jimenez with a free agent. There are still some free agent relievers available including David Robertson and there is always the possibility for more trades, so perhaps this move is a prelude of things to come.
Alex Anthopoulos did tell fans to expect payroll to increase at the beginning of the offseason, the club’s payroll is roughly $30 million lower than it was at the end of the year last season at the moment.
While shedding Perdomo’s salary won’t drop that number significantly, it still puts into question what the team’s plan is for the bullpen. It could open a spot for AJ Smith-Shawver to make the Opening Day roster as a swingman, similar to the role Spencer Strider played in 2022, or it could open the door for a last second addition from a player who might currently be in another team’s camp.
