The Braves and José Devers Agree to Minor League Deal

The Atlanta Braves have signed infielder José Devers to a minor league contract, as reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball and confirmed by MLBTR. The deal includes an invitation to major league spring training for the Rep 1 Baseball client.

Devers, who turns 25 next week, was once a highly regarded prospect but has yet to fully live up to the expectations. Originally an international signing by the Yankees, he was traded to the Marlins in December 2017 as part of the Giancarlo Stanton deal. Known for his athletic defense and strong contact abilities, Devers, the cousin of Rafael Devers, was ranked among the top 15 prospects in Miami’s system by Baseball America from 2019 to 2022.

In December 2020, the Marlins added Devers to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. However, a significant shoulder injury sidelined him for much of the next two seasons. He played just 33 games between the majors and minors in 2021 and underwent surgery in August of that year to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. His recovery extended into the following season, limiting him to 60 minor league games in 2022. Devers cleared waivers and was outrighted off Miami’s roster at the end of 2022.

​In 2023, Devers remained in Triple-A, where he posted a respectable campaign with a .276/.352/.421 slash line and a 14.8% strikeout rate, earning a 108 wRC+. However, injuries again hampered his 2024 season, limiting him to 54 Triple-A games, where he hit .239/.304/.362 for a 74 wRC+. He briefly joined the major league roster during the Marlins' lost season, compiling a .244/.300/.311 line in 50 plate appearances. With his contract expiring, Devers elected free agency at the end of the season.