The Atlanta Braves are keeping busy this offseason, and their latest move shows their knack for tweaking roster depth with an eye on potential.
On Friday, the Braves announced they had claimed 26-year-old right-handed pitcher Amos Willingham off waivers from their NL East rivals, the Washington Nationals.
The Braves designated pitcher Allan Winans for assignment to make room for Willingham on the 40-man roster. That decision hints at Atlanta’s priorities for the 2025 season.
So, what’s the story behind this move? Let’s break it down.
Why the Braves Took a Chance on Amos Willingham
Willingham, a Georgia native with a fastball that touches nearly 98 mph, doesn’t exactly have the prettiest big-league stats.
In his 25.1 innings across 19 MLB appearances, mostly in 2023, he posted a 7.11 ERA and an even uglier 7.79 FIP.
His struggles with keeping the ball in the park and missing bats have been glaring at the major league level. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find there’s more to Willingham’s game than his surface-level stats.
In AAA, the righty’s numbers paint a much rosier picture. Over two seasons, he managed a 3.47 ERA with solid command of the long ball (just 0.6 HR/9) and a respectable 9.0 K/9 across 93.1 innings.
His arsenal, which includes a 97.7 mph fastball, a 94.1 mph cutter, and an 86.3 mph slider, gives the Braves an intriguing bullpen piece to work with.
Plus, with one minor league option remaining, the Braves have the flexibility to shuttle him between AAA and the majors as needed—always a valuable asset for a contending team.
What Allan Winans’ DFA Means for the Braves
Let’s talk about the cost of adding Willingham: Allan Winans. Winans, who will turn 30 during the 2025 season, has been a steady presence for the Braves in AAA, boasting a 3.06 ERA over 241 innings in the last two seasons.
The transition to the big leagues hasn’t been kind to him. In his eight MLB starts, Winans struggled and surrendered 32 earned runs in 40 innings (7.20 ERA).
Add in a fastball that averaged just 90.1 mph last year—putting him in the 4th percentile league-wide—and it’s easy to see why Atlanta might prefer Willingham’s higher velocity and bullpen potential.
Willingham’s Role in Atlanta’s 2025 Plans
Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road for Winans in Atlanta. He could stick around as organizational depth if he goes unclaimed during the DFA process.
But with Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, Bryce Elder, and Grant Holmes already in the mix as starting options, it’s clear that the Braves’ rotation depth isn’t lacking.
For now, Willingham projects as bullpen depth in AAA, a role the organization has been building out to give themselves more late-season flexibility.
If his minor league success can translate to the majors, he might just be the kind of sneaky addition that makes a difference down the stretch.
Only time will tell, but for the Braves, this is yet another example of their knack for turning waiver claims into potential gems.
