BALTIMORE, MD – JUNE 02: The newest Atlanta Braves infielder Ryan Flaherty is a stellar defender /
The Atlanta Braves 2018 season starts in four days; the roster may not be finalized until them.
The Atlanta Braves mostly sat twiddling their thumbs this winter waiting for others to decide what they would do with their rosters. Some of the additions they did make were questionable at best but it looked like those players would fight it out for bench roles.
However, as the bus packed up after they got shelled by the Tigers today two more players were thrown into the mix.
When the team arrives at STP tomorrow to play the Yankees players will still be introducing themselves to new teammates. It’s only fair you get introduced to them as well.
Ryan Flaherty
Ryan Flaherty joins a cast of thousands competing for the backup infielder position on the Braves bench.
Drafted by the Cubs in 2008 out of Vanderbilt (he played on the same team as former Brave Mike Minor), Flaherty joined the Orioles as a Rule 5 selectee in 2011. Since making his debut for Baltimore in 2012, Flaherty’s played every infield position, both corner outfield spots and pitched and inning back in 2016.
As a hitter Flaherty makes a good defender. His .215/.284/.355/ .639 line, 73 wRC+, .282 wOBA and 1.6 fWAR won’t frighten anyone; he did hit 10 home runs back in 2014 so there’s that.
The Orioles let him walk after last season and he signed a minor league deal with the Phillies. He used his opt-out clause last Thursday when they told him he wouldn’t make the team and flirted with a return to Baltimore. That flirtation ended when he sign a one year deal that Jerry Crasnick of ESPN says guarantees him $750K.
Peter Bourjos
About an hour after they announced the Flaherty signing we found that former Angels, Cardinals, Phillies and Rays outfielder Peter Bourjos also inked a major league deal with Atlanta.
Source: Peter Bourjos signed an MLB deal with the #Braves for $1MM
While Bourjos isn’t a star with the stick either,he had a good spring with the Cubs ( .326/.362/.372/.734) and could prove useful against LHP. Over the last two seasons he posted a .278/.320/.406/.726 line in 200 PA and he can steal a base now and then as well.
Bourjos’ glove was always his calling card. In 2010 he posted 1.8 fWAR most due to a 17.1 UZR and 14 DRS in 449 2/3 innings as center fielder for the Halos. In 2011 he put together his best year at the plate – .271/.327/.438/.765, 114 wRC+,.335 wOBA – and backed it up with 10 DRS and a 7.0 UZR.
The arrival of Mike Trout in 2012 eventually pushed him into a fourth outfielder bench role but he still managed a 9 DRS and 16.3 UZR in 501 centerfield innings.
The Angels traded Bourjos and Randal Grichuk to the Cardinals after the 2013 season. The Cardinals hoped to use him as their regular center fielder but his bat was never strong enough. H played just 641 innings that season but still posted 7 DRS an 8.9 UZR.
Bourjos 2015 wasn’t as good as usual but returned to defensive highlight reels the following season.
This is an example of that philosophy. Our backup infielders – Flaherty and Dansby-Swanson-lookalike Charlie Culberson – are both well above average with their glove. When Bourjos plays center the defense there remains among the best; he plays right really well too so if Nick Markakis sits or gets injured that’s covered too; in fact defense there improves.
The addition of two players on major league deals means Ezequiel Carrera and (thankfully) Danny Santana head to Gwinnett. They are on minor league deals so no roster move is needed yet,
I expect Schmpf to be the first casualty when a 40 spot is required. Ruiz has options and can be sent down when Camargo comes back. This makes Adams’ spot tenuous when Ronald Acuna gets the call unless somebody else goes onto the 60-day DL.
Depending on when Gohara is ready to return, Brothers or Winkler could make way for him.
That’s a wrap
At least for now. I saw someone on Twitter talking about Jose Bautista being in Negotiations with the Braves. That smells like a troll to me as Joey Bats makes no sense in Atlanta, we already have people who play the outfield badly and hit under .200 in the system.
The moves almost assuredly mean Tucker and Adams or Bourjos platoon in left; a Ruiz / Flaherty platoon at third looks like the future at third until Camargo returns.
