The deadline for MLB clubs to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players was last night, and the Braves decided to non-tender several notable players.
The list of players non-tendered by the Braves included Griffin Canning, Ray Kerr, Royber Salinas, Huascar Ynoa, and Ramon Laureano. Meanwhile, around the league, an old Braves player, Michael Tonkin, avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins, marking his return to Minnesota.
Tonkin quickly became a fan favorite in Atlanta, even though he was never the most dominant reliever. He spent the 2023 season with the Braves, posting a 4.28 ERA over 80 innings of relief.
The 35-year-old had a turbulent year, starting with the Mets but being traded to the Twins for cash considerations in early April. Minnesota soon designated him for assignment, and Tonkin returned to New York, only for the Mets to DFA him later that month.
He didn’t have to travel far, though. The Yankees claimed Tonkin, and he had the most successful stretch of his 2024 season there. However, the Yankees DFA’d him in August, and the Twins claimed him off waivers for the remainder of the year.
Overall, Tonkin made 57 appearances in 2024, 13 of which were with the Twins. He posted a 3.63 ERA over 79 1/3 innings, allowing 70 hits and 43 runs while striking out 85 batters.
