The fast outfielder signed a minor league deal back in February with the Chicago Cubs before being released last Friday, producing a .386 spring BA
With less than a week before opening day, teams are starting to pick off free agents that could fill in bench roles and final roster spots for small salaries. On Sunday, the Atlanta Braves went out and did just that, signing outfielder Peter Bourjos to a one year major league deal for $1 million.
Bourjos is a semi-utility guy, capable of playing all 3 outfield spots which will be useful. The Braves will need place-holders until Ronald Acuna comes up that can also be an option for bench roles when he does arrive.
Source: #Braves sign OF Peter Bourjos to major-league deal. He has passed his physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 25, 2018
The 30-year-old has spent his career with the Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and recently with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2017, Bourjos produced a .223 average while hitting 15 RBIs.
He was a former 10th round pick during the 2005 draft for the Angels. His best season was in 2011 with the Angels where he had a .271 average in 147 games while delivering 12 home runs and 11 triples. That season also included 22 steals.
OF Peter Bourjos will turn 31 on 3/31. He was batting .326 in 18G with the #Cubs this spring before being released on Friday. He hit .223 with 5 HR in 100G for the #Rays in 2017. The 8-year vet has played for four clubs and owns a .241/.298/.382 career line. #Braves
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) March 25, 2018
So far for spring, Bourjos has had an impressive outing. In 18 games, he has hit to a .326 batting average with eight RBIs and two stolen bases.
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Bourjos will join the pool of outfielders (and OF-capable players) trying to get a roster spot.
Excluding Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis, we have Lane Adams, Preston Tucker, and Danny Santana.
Similar to these guys, especially Adams and Santana, Bourjos is fast. In a StatCast video, he clocked in at nearly 20 MPH while rounding the bases.
A little over a week ago, the Braves also signed another outfielder, Ezequiel Carrera, to a minor league deal with a spring invite.
With the signing of Bourjos, Carrera will definitely go to the minors, probably AAA.
Next: Before Signing Bourjos, The Braves Released This Guy
Being on a contract only worth $1M, the Braves don’t have to sweat whether to keep Bourjos for the long-term. But with his defense and ability to move around the outfield positions, Bourjos at least has a shot to hang around – even with Acuna.