Atlanta Braves finalize 25 man roster
By Fred Owens

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.