House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves finalize 25 man roster

By Fred Owens

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 24: A glove and the rosin bag sit on the mound before the interleague game between the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park on June 23, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 24: A glove and the rosin bag sit on the mound before the interleague game between the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park on June 23, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JUNE 24: A glove and the rosin bag sit on the mound before the interleague game between the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park on June 23, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 24: A glove and the rosin bag sit on the mound before the interleague game between the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park on June 23, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /

After a placid offseason followed by a chaotic ten days of transactions, the Atlanta Braves finalized their 25-man roster today. . . for now anyway.

Debate about the size of the bullpen and the structure of the bench continued through the weekend. At one time rumors had the Atlanta Braves starting with five or six outfielders and two or three utility men. Then injuries to Luiz Gohara and Scott Kazmir caused talk of an eight man bullpen.

This afternoon Mark Bowman reported that the Atlanta Braves decided to go with the traditional 12 pitcher, 13 everyday player structure and carry a third catcher.

The roster

Today’s roster isn’t significantly different from the one I suggested Sunday evening; the third catcher replaced Rio Ruiz and another reliever took the spot where I penciled in Anibal Sanchez.

At this moment the 25 roster looks like this

1 CF Ender Inciarte 14 SP Julio Teheran
2 2B Ozzie Albies 15 SP Mike Foltynewicz
3 1B Freddie Freeman 16 SP Brandon McCarthy
4 RF Nick Markakis 17 SP Sean Newcomb
5 C Tyler Flowers 18
6 LF Preston Tucker CL Arodys Vizcaino
7 SS Dansby Swanson 19 RP Shane Carle
8 3B Ryan Flaherty 20 RP Jose Ramirez
Bench 21 RP A.J. Minter
9 C Kurt Suzuki 22 RP Peter Moylan
10 C Chris Stewart 23 RP Sam Freeman
11 INF Charlie Culberson 24 RP Dan Winkler
12 OF Lane Adams 25 RP Rex Brothers
13 OF Peter Bourjos

The Braves started last season with three catchers as well. That decision revolved around lack of a pinch-hitting threat and the probability that manager Brian Snitker would have to use a catcher in that role.

That played a large part in the rational this year but Flowers recent injury and his lack of effectiveness at the plate surely played a part in picking Stewart.

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