Luke Jackson, Braves avoid arbitration before deadline

The Braves and right-hander Luke Jackson agreed to a one-year, $1.9 million deal Wednesday. The deadline to tender players was 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Jackson, 29, was projected to earn around $2 million in arbitration, per MLB Trade Rumors. A controversial player among Braves fans, Jackson became a big part of the 2019 bullpen. He had a 3.84 ERA and 106 strikeouts against 26 walks in 70 appearances. Jackson even closed games for a stretch, accumulating 18 of his 19 career saves that season.

Jackson struggled mightily last season with a 6.84 ERA in 19 games. He allowed 23 runs on 39 hits in 26-1/3 innings, with his slider proving less effective than the previous season. The Braves left him off their postseason roster.

He’ll have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot during spring training. His contract is not fully guaranteed, meaning the Braves could move on from Jackson by spring training’s end and owe him only a fraction of the deal. If Jackson resembles his 2019 form, he gives the Braves additional middle-relief depth.

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