Mariners trading outfielder Jarred Kelenic, others to Braves - ESPN

SEATTLE — The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Jarred Kelenic, pitcher Marco Gonzales and infielder Evan White from the Seattle Mariners on Sunday night for right-handed pitchers Cole Phillips and Jackson Kowar.

The move added a veteran lefty to the Braves pitching staff, along with Kelenic, who at one time was one of baseball's top young prospect. In the process, Seattle cleared a chunk of salary off its payroll, giving up on Kelenic in order for the Braves to take the contracts of Gonzales and White.

Seattle is sending Atlanta cash as part of the trade. Gonzales is owed $12 million for the 2024 season, while White has $17 million in guaranteed money remaining on his contract.

«As we continue to work through this offseason with a goal of improving our team for 2024 and beyond, we believe the additions of Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips, as well as the roster and payroll flexibility created tonight, will move us closer to that goal,» Seattle President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto said in a statement.

Kelenic is the big piece going to Atlanta in the deal. Once the prized prospect of the New York Mets organization, Kelenic was traded to Seattle in December 2018 when the Mariners sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to the Mets. At the time, Kelenic was one of the top prospects in the minors, but his transition to the majors has gone through rough patches.

Last season was Kelenic's first extended stretch as a starter with the Mariners and even that season was uneven as he missed almost two months after fracturing his foot kicking a cooler in the dugout. Kelenic ended the season hitting .253 with 11 homers and 49 RBIs in 105 games.

Gonzales was the longest tenured member of Seattle's roster after being acquired via