On Friday, the Atlanta Braves acquired right-handed starting pitcher Alek Manoah off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. The 27-year-old was designated for assignment by the AL East outfit on September 23. The Braves took to X to announce the move.

“The #Braves today claimed and optioned RHP Alek Manoah off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred INF Ozzie Albies to the 60-day injured list,” the post read.

### Fan Reactions

Reacting to the announcement, several fans left comments criticizing the Braves for acquiring a player with a concerning injury history.

– “We’re a rehab center,” one fan commented.
– “This is literally the equivalent of taking an old chair that someone left at the curb for garbage pickup,” another fan wrote.
– “This had AA written all over it. Goodwill shopping at its finest,” said another.
– “Assembling a squad of AAAA players,” another fan replied.
– “Is there any washed-up stray we don’t pick up? This front office has gotten so predictable, it’s become a running joke with the fanbase,” one more added.
– “Oh joy. Bargain bin is where we live apparently,” another fan shared.

### Alek Manoah’s Career and Potential

The Braves will be hoping to help Alek Manoah get back to his best. Though recent years have not been kind to him, Manoah was once seen as one of the brightest talents in the big leagues.

Selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Manoah impressed at the minor league level with the Buffalo Bisons, the Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate. He made his big league debut on May 27, 2021.

In his rookie season, Manoah made twenty starts, finishing with an impressive 9-2 record, a 3.22 ERA, and 127 strikeouts.

After showing glimpses of his sky-high potential in 2021, Manoah truly took off in 2022. He finished the season with an excellent 16-7 record, a 2.24 ERA, and 180 strikeouts. His performance earned him his first All-Star selection, and he finished third in the AL Cy Young voting, behind Dylan Cease and Justin Verlander.

Unfortunately, Manoah was never able to replicate his exploits from 2022. He struggled at the beginning of the 2023 season and faced a series of demotions to the minor leagues. Issues with consistency and repeated injuries eventually spelled the end of his time in Toronto.

### Looking Ahead

Though Alek Manoah’s acquisition has met with skepticism among some fans, there is significant upside to the deal if the Braves can help him return to form. With the right support and health, Manoah could still become a valuable asset for Atlanta in the coming seasons.
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