NORTH PORT, Fla. — Outfielder Adam Duvall and the Braves have had a lot of good times together. They’ll get the chance to enjoy even more.
The Braves signed Duvall to a one-year contract worth $3 million Thursday, marking the third time that the veteran outfielder will suit up for the franchise. Duvall played 131 games with the Braves from 2018-20 and 141 games from 2021-22. He was a member of the 2021 championship squad and had two homers (including a grand slam) and six RBIs in the World Series against Houston.
The team intends to have a left-field platoon with Duvall and newcomer Jarred Kelenic, President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos said.
“Very accomplished outfielder who can play all three (spots), can even play first base if needed,” Anthopoulos said. “He’s someone that right now, we’re going to give him the opportunity against left-handed starters in left field – we let Jarred know as well – to get him at-bats. We’re one injury away from all these guys getting every-day at-bats. Just a really good opportunity to bring in somebody who really fits our clubhouse and is a very strong right-handed bat.”
Manager Brian Snitker: “He’s one of my favorite guys I’ve ever managed. When you have the opportunity to score a piece like that, kudos to Alex for making it happen.”
Duvall, 35, spent last season with the Red Sox, hitting .247/.303/.531 with 24 doubles, 21 homers and 58 RBIs in 92 games. His tremendous start to the 2023 campaign was disrupted by a left-wrist fracture that sidelined him for two months. Still, Duvall earned a pair of AL Player of the Week awards, first in the opening week of the season and in August. Among players with at least 300 at-bats last season, his rate of 15.24 at-bats per home run ranked eighth in the American League.
“It’s crazy it took this long (for Duvall to be signed),” said Braves lefty Chris Sale, who played with Duvall in Boston last season. “He’s a great addition. He’s been here, too, a few times. So he’ll fit right in. Not only off the field, but what he’s going to bring on the field is consistency. That guy just seems to find his way. That was exciting news to find out before my start (Thursday).”
Anthopoulos said the deal came together within the last “day or two.” The Braves hadn’t been in the market for a right-handed bat, but Anthopoulos said Duvall was a “special case for us given the history we’ve had with him. ... The opportunity to get Adam was too good for us to turn down.”
The Braves acquired Kelenic from the Mariners this winter in what amounted to a salary dump for Seattle. The Braves declared he’d be an every-day player at spring’s outset, but with exactly two weeks remaining before opening day, it turns out he’ll be part of a platoon after all. “We came in here not thinking we were going to do that, but we didn’t have Adam Duvall,” Snitker said. “That changes things when you get a guy of that caliber. I think it’ll be good for both of them.”
Kelenic has had a poor spring statistically, going 3-for-34 (.088). He’s had some rotten luck, though, hitting balls straight at defenders. Anthopoulos said Kelenic’s spring performance had “zero” influence on the Duvall signing.
“No impact,” he said. “This is about Adam Duvall. It’s an opportunity to get him back. It wouldn’t have mattered. We had an opportunity to get Adam Duvall back, we were going to do that. Jarred has looked great. He’s looked great defensively, looked unbelievable playing center field. We’re very excited about Jarred and how he’s doing, thrilled.”
“(Kelenic) is still going to be the strong side of the platoon. It doesn’t necessarily mean that when a left-hander comes in the middle of the game that somebody is going to get pulled. Snit makes that decision. But at least in terms of starting, if we’re facing a left-handed starter, Adam will be in there. If it’s a right-handed starter, Jarred will be in there. We know as we go along during the season that guys need days off, guys are banged up, this is a guy who can cover us at all three outfield spots in addition to first base and even DH.”
Kelenic is a former top prospect who’s trying to establish himself. The Braves feel he’ll benefit from not having to be “the guy” in a lineup full of All-Stars. Hitting coach Kevin Seitzer has been encouraged by Kelenic’s process, despite his disappointing results in spring training.
“The results haven’t shown in the games like the quality of the at-bats have been for the last week,” Seitzer told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s coming along really well. Great kid to go with (his tools). Great kid, great work ethic. Cares unbelievably. Cares too much, and he was putting a lot of pressure on himself to show us how good he was. We needed to build relationships, build trust, get to know each other. It’s been a perfect process so far.”
The Braves will try to catch Duvall up with live at-bats on the back fields. They’ll determine a date for him playing in Grapefruit League games after he speaks with the coaches and training staff. The goal is to get him ready for the third game of the season, when the Phillies likely will start lefty Ranger Suarez during the opening series (the Phillies’ top-two starters, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, are right-handers).
Duvall’s return strengthens the team’s depth. The Braves replaced Eddie Rosario with Kelenic but lacked a credible fourth outfielder.
“I even said it before the spring, the one place I felt we were a little light was our outfield depth,” Anthopoulos said. “I love the three with Jarred, (Michael) Harris II and Acuña, but we had other guys in camp that hadn’t necessarily put together full seasons in the major leagues. You’re bringing a guy in who’s led the league in RBIs, won a Gold Glove, all those kind of things. It’s a rare opportunity. I didn’t think we’d sit here in the middle of March with an opportunity to get a guy like this. This just solidifies us because we know we’re going to have needs. Every trade deadline, it seems like we’re trying to add outfielders one way or another (including last summer).”
Duvall also will be a welcome addition in the clubhouse. He is a beloved teammate, consistently drawing glowing reviews from coaches and players during his past stints here. Much of the core that won the 2021 World Series with Duvall is still in the 2024 clubhouse. “He’s a good guy inside the stadium and outside the stadium,” Acuña said. “Good teammate. I’m happy for him.”
“He’s awesome,” Anthopoulos said of Duvall. “Me and Snit just talked to him before (Thursday’s) game started. It’s great to hear his voice, and (he’s) excited. He loves being here, no doubt about it. I know he’s excited. He’s going to fly in (Friday). The person is a great fit. I know our players will be excited. Great clubhouse fit, obviously. It’s a perfect fit for us in so many ways. On the field, in the clubhouse, in the community, all of the above.”
The Braves open the regular season March 28 in Philadelphia seeking their seventh consecutive National League East title.
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Credit: AJC, AP
