Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Braves 2023 Season Review: Nicky Lopez
At the 2023 trade deadline, the Atlanta Braves were exploring ways to improve their squad in preparation for the playoffs. Since Brian Snitker was notorious for sticking with the same lineup every night, Atlanta needed some bench depth. They landed Nicky Lopez who did exactly what he was asked to do.
When Lopez came to the Braves, he knew he would not be an everyday player. With his ability to play multiple infield positions, Nicky Lopez was available to give multiple players well-earned days of rest or ready to jump in in the event of an injury.
He appeared in 25 games, produced well in that short time, and had one of the best debuts with a team you could imagine. The former Royal was 4-for-4 in game 1 of a doubleheader against the Mets where the Braves put up 21 runs. Lopez even pitched in the bottom of the 9th inning. You couldn’t write a better script.
Lopez posted a .277 batting average with 1 home run and 12 runs batted in during his time with Atlanta. Over this stretch, he played shortstop, second base, third base, first base, and even pitched 2.1 innings during blowouts when the Braves needed an innings eater.
In the world of complicated analytics, we can’t help but point out Nicky Lopez’ “Hard Hit %.” This statistic is the percentage of balls put in play at 95 miles per hour or more. While he was with the Braves, 34.5% of balls Lopez put in play were 95 mph or harder. To put into perspective how impressive this was, his next highest career percentage was in 2021 with the Kansas City Royals at 27%.
Lopez quickly became a fan favorite and many were disappointed he was dealt to the Chicago White Sox in the Aaron Bummer trade. Currently, the Braves have David Fletcher in the organization who will likely serve as Atlanta’s super utility man. This has become a position the Braves like to keep but Fletcher may have big shoes to fill after seeing what Nicky Lopez did in his 25 games.
The Braves could have brought him back for 2024 but decided to use him in a package deal for Aaron Bummer instead. Lopez will get the chance to play with the team he grew up watching in 2024 and we wish him all of the best.
Atlanta, GA
Braves reportedly sign Robert Suarez to three-year, $45 million deal
The Braves were involved in a few rumors but nothing turned concrete. Maybe that’ll be the case in the near future? We’ll see what happens.
Well, less than 24 hours later, the Atlanta Braves have made two big free agency signings. They brought Mike Yastrzemski into the fold on a two-year deal and now they’ve apparently got the man that they were linked to earlier this week. There were multiple reporters saying that the Braves were interested in Robert Suarez and as it turns out, there was something to that rumor because Suarez is now a member of the Atlanta Braves.
Jeff Passan of ESPN is reporting that the Braves and Suarez have agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract.
The Braves were searching for a high-end reliever to pair with Raisel Iglesias after they brought him back on a one-year deal earlier this offseason and they’ve pulled it off with this deal. Although Suarez is heading into his Age-35 season, he’s coming off of the best season of his career where he finished with an ERA of 2.97 (73 ERA-), a FIP of 2.88 (71 FIP-), a career-low walk rate of 5.9 percent and a solid strikeout rate of nearly 28 percent. The Braves clearly feel that he can keep on providing that type of production and it’ll certainly be exciting to see him light up the radar gun with that elite heater of his that sits at nearly 99 miles per hour.
The All-Star hurler will now join a bullpen that suddenly looks pretty tough to deal with at the end of ballgames. Atlanta was in search of improving their bullpen and they’ve done just that with the addition of Suarez. While the Braves could still use a starting pitcher, they’ve definitely done a solid job of improving their roster here in the offseason and it’ll be very interesting to see what’s next for improving the squad going forward.
UPDATE [1:05 p.m. ET]: The Braves have officially announced the signing and also announced that they designated Ryan Rolison for assignment in order to make room for Suarez on the roster, so there’s that.
Atlanta, GA
Man found dead inside southwest Atlanta apartment | what we know
Atlanta police investigate the fatal shooting of a 38-year-old man at The Manor III apartments on Arthur Langford Junior Place in southwest Atlanta on December 10, 2025. (FOX 5)
ATLANTA – A 38-year-old man was found shot to death Wednesday evening at an apartment complex on Arthur Langford Junior Place.
What we know:
Atlanta police said officers were called to The Manor III apartments located at 262 Arthur Langford Junior Place SW around 7:31 p.m. on a report of shots fired. When they arrived, they found the man unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. Medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
Homicide investigators spent the night collecting ballistic evidence, reviewing video and working with security at the complex. Detectives said the property has been cooperative and has provided footage that investigators are reviewing.
What they’re saying:
A police spokesperson at the scene said detectives are still working to determine whether the shooter acted alone or whether multiple suspects were involved. “Unfortunately, the male was pronounced deceased from multiple gunshot wounds,” the spokesperson said. “We are still early in the investigation trying to gather information and speak with witnesses.”
What we don’t know:
When asked about a potential motive, detectives said it was too soon to know.
What you can do:
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or reach out directly to the homicide unit.
The Source: The Atlanta Police Department provided the details for this article.
Atlanta, GA
Car crash deaths outpace murders, new report shows
A new report shows car crash deaths in metro Atlanta have now outpaced homicides. According to the street-safety group Propel ATL, data from 2020 through 2024 across five counties shows fatal crashes rising at a troubling rate.
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