Two former Braves are hoping fresh starts will jumpstart their journeys back to the big leagues.
Right-hander Wander Suero and outfielder Carlos Rodriguez have already secured minor league contracts for 2025, parting ways with Atlanta and signing new deals early in the offseason shuffle. Suero, now 34, has inked a minor league pact with the Oakland Athletics and has been assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas. Rodriguez, 24, has joined the Padres on a minor league deal and will report to Triple-A El Paso.
Suero Looks to Rebuild in Pitcher-Friendly Oakland System
For Suero, this marks another chapter in a winding professional path. After signing with the Braves last January and receiving an invite to Spring Training, he opened the season in Triple-A Gwinnett. There, he showed promise enough to earn a shot with the big-league club. But his stint with Atlanta didn’t go as hoped. In just over six innings, he surrendered eight earned runs, struggling to command the zone and manage traffic. His ERA ballooned to 11.37. Atlanta designated him for assignment in September, and while the Mets picked him up soon after, Suero never threw a pitch for New York. Now, he’ll look to reset in the A’s organization.
His career numbers reflect a journeyman’s toll, a 4.96 ERA across 196 games, mostly from his years with the Nationals bullpen between 2018 and 2021. Suero’s best moments came in Washington, but recent seasons have challenged his consistency. A minor league deal with Oakland offers no guarantees, but it does provide another runway. And for a team like the A’s, known for giving veterans second (and third) chances, there could be innings to earn if he performs in Las Vegas.
Rodriguez Still Holds Upside at Just 24
Carlos Rodriguez’s story is a bit different and, in many ways, still unwritten. Acquired by Atlanta after leaving the Brewers organization, the outfielder was once viewed as a potential up-and-comer. The Braves kept him on the 40-man roster and even promoted him to the active roster, though he never saw the field. After being outrighted back to Triple-A, he elected free agency.
Rodriguez has posted a .247 batting average with a .642 OPS in 159 Triple-A games, along with eight home runs and 42 RBIs. It’s not flashy, but for a 24-year-old with speed, versatility, and a solid track record in Double-A, there’s still projection left in his profile. The Padres will hope a change of scenery helps him find that next gear.
The Braves Quietly Rebuilding Depth Behind the Scenes
Meanwhile, the Braves continue reloading their system, bringing in relievers like Jacob Wallace and outfielder Brewer Hicklen on minor league contracts. Both have major league experience and could push for Spring Training reps. As the organization tweaks its depth chart heading into 2025, these minor moves could offer quiet value or the beginnings of comeback stories.
