Atlanta Braves Morning Chop – Latest Roster Rumblings

Mar 21, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Joe Benson throws out a St. Louis Cardinals base runner on a sac fly attempt at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Braves 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Roster Decisions Coming Soon

A lot of things still need to be resolved. I mentioned the 40-man roster previously: there are 38 active names on it (not counting Shae Simmons, who is on the 60-day DL due to his Tommy John surgery). Daniel Winkler will be placed on the DL, and possibly the 60-day list as well, depending on whether an “extra” slot is needed.

David O’Brien has pointed out that a surprise finalist for the last bench position could be someone who technically was never invited to Spring Training in the first place: Joe Benson. In the past week, several things have fallen his way, including:

• Joe Terdoslavich’s wrist injury (caused while making a nice defensive double play)
• Phillip Gosselin having a terrible last 2 weeks
• Zoilo Almonte having a terrible 2015 and being outrighted to Gwinnett (if he accepts)
• Eury Perez being deemed ‘not ready’
• Todd Cunningham not getting much respect (familiarity breeding contempt, perhaps?)
• His own good work: .250 plus three walks – and an opposite field home run off of Cole Hamels yesterday

Barring a change (unlikely), the Braves intend to carry 13 position players and 12 pitchers into the season. Right now that look like this for the position players:

• Freeman, Peterson, Simmons, Johnson, Callaspo, Gomes, Young, Markakis, Bethancourt (9) for the “regulars”
• Pierzynski and KJohnson for the bench (2)

That leaves Benson, Terdoslavich, Gosselin, and Cunningham for 2 spots… and quotes from Fredi Gonzalez suggest that he’s fine with using Benson anywhere in the outfield as necessary.

Meanwhile, Back on the Mound

Let’s count up twelve pitchers:

• Teheran, Wood, Miller, … and then we’re not sure (3)
• Kimbrel, Grilli, Johnson, Avilan, McKirahan (5). That much is probably set. Beyond that…

We still have 3 starters arguing for 2 spots: Eric Stults, Wandy Rodriguez, and Michael Foltynewicz.

That leaves two spots for the bullpen, which will likely be Juan Jaime (out of options) and Brady Feigl. That leaves out Cody Martin, Chien-Ming Wang, Ian Thomas, John Cornely, Michael Kohn, Aaron Kurcz, Brandon Cunniff, and others.

In the “cruel fate” category, is Josh Outman – he might very well be cut due to his current shoulder ailment. If the Braves decide that he’s (a) not going to be out for long, and (b) that his poor performances are tied to the shoulder issue, then he could get another look. But it will cost the Braves around $700,000 to roll those dice, as that’s the difference in cost between cutting Outman now vs. cutting (or simply not using) him later.

Adding it All Up

• Neither Stults or Rodriguez are on the 40-man roster.
• Brady Feigl is also not on the roster – nor are Martin, Cornely, Kohn, Kurcz, or Cunniff
• Joe Benson is not on it, either
• All other names shown above are already on the list.
• Those ‘Out of Options’ are Juan Jaime and Josh Outman (so is Zoilo Almonte, except that he was already outrighted and has cleared waivers).

As I see this, it looks like the Braves will need somewhere between 2 and 4 roster slots to finish setting up the opening day team. Two slots being available now, that means Winkler goes to the 60-day DL to create a third opening, and Josh Outman is released if the fourth spot is needed for Benson.

We will find out in the next 8-48 hours.

Next: Braves Acquire LH Relief Pitcher