Atlanta, GA
Braves fan-favorite predicted to ditch Atlanta for $16 million Yankees deal | Sporting News
The Atlanta Braves are almost definitely going to be saying some tough goodbyes this winter.
Following a 2024 season that was derailed by injuries to star players, the Braves are looking to reload their roster without breaking the bank. Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider, and Austin Riley should all be back, which means Atlanta can hypothetically afford to let others walk.
Lost in the injury shuffle somewhat was reliable left-handed reliever A.J. Minter, who underwent hip surgery in September. The eight-year veteran has spent his entire career with the Braves so far, contributing some crucial innings to Atlanta’ 2021 World Series run.
Now, Minter is a free agent, and despite all the fond memories he and the Braves share, it doesn’t seem as though a reunion is anything close to a guarantee.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report predicted that Minter would sign with the New York Yankees, who are known for getting the most out of their relief pitching talent, on a two-year, $16 million contract.
“With a 3.28 ERA and 10.9 K/9 in 384 career appearances, Minter has been a reliable lefty bullpen option throughout an eight-year career spent entirely in Atlanta,” Reuter said.
“The 31-year-old missed the final month and a half of the 2024 season after undergoing hip surgery, but he is expected to be ready for Opening Day. He would give the Yankees a much-needed southpaw with high-leverage experience.”
Minter has been fantastic in the postseason, which might be when the Braves would miss him the most. He has a 2.88 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 25 career postseason innings, punching out 36 of the 102 playoff hitters he has faced.
The Yankees simply may have more urgency to make any and all free-agent signings than the Braves do at this point, after losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets. That could mean Minter is donning pinstripes instead of navy and red by Opening Day.
More MLB: Braves predicted to land $45 million World Series hero to replace Max Fried
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Reference ID: #8bc8d90f-512f-11f1-b425-b440dba457b1
The public is getting its first look at the two pandas that will be heading from China to Zoo Atlanta.
NBC’s Janis Mackey Frayer was able to visit female Fu Shuang and male Ping Ping before they make the nearly 8,000-mile flight. The giant pandas are both 6 years old and are headed to the United States as part of a new decade-long conservation agreement between China and the U.S.
Ping Ping’s keepers say he tends to follow them around, which is atypical behavior for a panda, but may be because of the food they have for him. Fu Shuang — which translates to “double happiness” — is playful, but nervous, and enjoys placing her chin on her paw. She also likes apples and has a penchant for finding them.
“Because we will hide pieces of apples, for example under the tree … she can find them everywhere,” panda keeper Wang Shun told Mackey Frayer, noting her “clever” behavior.
The pandas are part of an international cooperative research agreement on giant panda conservation between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, a renewal of panda diplomacy between America and China that began in 1972.
“Zoo Atlanta is delighted and honored to yet again be trusted as stewards of this treasured species and to partner with the China Wildlife Conservation Association on the continued conservation and research efforts that are the most important outcomes of this cooperation,” Zoo Atlanta President and CEO Raymond B. King said in a statement in April.
“We can’t wait to meet Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and to welcome our Members, guests, city, and community back to the wonder and joy of giant pandas.”
Pandas are already at zoos in Washington, D.C., and San Diego. Zoo Atlanta maintained a panda agreement with China from 1999 until 2024, when Lun Lun and Yang Yang went back to their home country, along with their two youngest cubs.
Animal behaviorist James Ayala marvels at how pandas mature.
“You see cubs and they seem so cuddly and clumsy and cute. And then they grow up into these big, majestic bears,” he told Mackey Frayer.
Fu Shuang and Ping Ping will be transported further south into a mountainous region where they will be prepped to make the trip to the U.S. It is unknown when they will leave.
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