Oakland Athletics Acquire 2.49 ERA Pitcher From Atlanta Braves

The Oakland Athletics and the Atlanta Braves recently completed a trade involving right-handed pitcher Yacksel Ríos.

In exchange for cash considerations, Ríos, who was on the verge of exercising an opt-out clause in his minor league contract with the Braves, was acquired by the Athletics.

#Braves traded reliever Yacksel Rios to Oakland for cash. He had a 1.46 ERA and seven saves in 21 appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett this season, last pitched in majors in 2021 with Boston and Seattle.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 18, 2023

The move was prompted by Ríos' impressive performance at the Triple-A level, where he showcased a strong 2.49 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, a 31.9% strikeout rate, and improved control.

This trade presents Ríos with an opportunity to make a return to the major leagues after not playing since 2021.

With the Athletics currently struggling with the worst bullpen ERA in the MLB, Ríos could potentially provide a much-needed boost to their relief corps.

The Atlanta Braves traded RHP Yacksel Ríos to the Oakland Athletics for cash. pic.twitter.com/P9ewld6q5L
— Complete MLB (@CompleteMLB) June 19, 2023

The 29-year-old right-hander's impressive numbers in Triple-A suggest that he could be a valuable addition to the Athletics' pitching staff and contribute to their quest for success.

For his major-league career, Rios holds a 5.77 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, with 91 strikeouts across 96.2 innings and 89 appearances. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports