As the Atlanta Braves finalize a major league deal with Peter Bourjos, they are working on one for infielder Ryan Flaherty
As spring training comes to an end, teams are finalizing their roster for Opening Day. The Braves are currently dealing with some injuries while some players have yet to show consistency. So it looks like they will be getting some temporary help from some veterans, including Ryan Flaherty, to start the 2018 season.
The Braves are finalizing deals with INF Ryan Flaherty and OF Peter Bourjos. These are economical deals for a team that wants to improve defensively and add experienced depth to the bench.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 25, 2018
With prospects like Ronald Acuna and Austin Riley still in the minors, the Braves will continue to have place holders and bench help until it’s time for those guys to come up.
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As rumors broke that the Braves were nearly on a deal with utility outfielder Peter Bourjos, news broke simultaneously that they were doing the same with Flaherty.
A pattern noticed in targeting these two, is that they are versatile. Bourjos can play all outfield positions while Flaherty is capable of playing all the infield spots.
The 31-year-old spent six seasons (2012-2017) with the Baltimore Orioles before signing a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies back in February. In the contract, however, Flaherty had a clause that allowed him to be a free agent if the Phillies didn’t add him to the 40-man roster.
Similar to Bourjos, Flaherty has had a good spring training, hitting a .351 batting average in 18 games. Though, career wise, Flaherty hasn’t been as impressive, but that’s not saying much. Flaherty has a career .215 average compared to Bourjos’ .241 average.
However that isn’t where Flaherty’s skills are at. He is considered to be a good defensive guy and has proven his worth around the bases. He will join the group of Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson, Rio Ruiz, Charlie Culberson, and technically Danny Santana.
This doesn’t even include currently injured Johan Camargo, who many believed would have been the Opening Day third baseman.
My guess is that the veteran will most likely fill in at 3rd and short, while Culberson will help at 2nd and short.
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Flaherty will also get to re-unite with former Orioles teammate Nick Marakis. Unlike Bourjos however, contract salary hasn’t been announced.