The Atlanta Braves roster continues to change even though the deadline for acquiring players eligible for the postseason passed three days ago.
The Atlanta Braves changed their active roster twice on Sunday. First, they placed Michael Reed on the 60-day DL with a lower back strain and selected the contract (again) of Ryan Flaherty from Gwinnett.
Rumors last week suggested the Braves would add Flaherty again when rosters expanded though no one outside of the front office knows exactly why [ed. note: guilt feelings?]. Reed’s 60-day DL move surprised most as his back looked pretty good in his one plate appearance on Saturday.
In the eighth inning came word that the Braves reacquired Preston Tucker from the Reds for cash considerations. No one predicted this move, particularly when Tucker’s not eligible for the postseason roster . . . well, not yet anyway.
We know the Atlanta Braves searched for a bat until the waiver-trade deadline on August 3, but those reports suggested a right-handed complement to Lucas Duda as the target. Tucker’s definitely not that. More detail is needed and some conclusions might be drawn as well.
Flaherty again?
The Atlanta Braves designated Flaherty for assignment a week ago. Shock did not ensue when he cleared waivers and accepted assignment to Gwinnett. Leaks and rumors of his recall prepared fans for his return so selecting his contract surprised no one either. The question no one’s provided an answer for is why.
Okay, they don’t have to tell us why, but the Braves hardly used him at all after the Jose Bautista experiment flopped like a fish on a dock and Johan Camargo returned from his injury. As I wrote last week:
". . . At that point, Flaherty might as well have been the bat boy as manager Brian Snitker started him just four times and allowed him 47 PA in the 91 days after May 22."
It’s been suggested that they wanted him to get some at-bats so he could get his groove back for the postseason. Flaherty did get at-bats – 32 plate appearances in total – but his .267/.313/.300/.300 line suggests his groove left town.
He played 26 innings at second base, 18 at third base and 17 at short in his quest to be Charlie Culberson’s backup. I was told he’s faster the Reed but the Braves designated pinch runner job has been claimed by Lane Adams.
Tucker returns too
Just after the trade deadline – the non-waiver trade deadline, July 31 – I wrote that the Atlanta Braves traded Preston Tucker to the Reds as part of a package to acquire Adam Duvall.
Tucker played well before Ronald Acuna arrived, hitting .256/.307/.444/.752 in 127 PA that included four homers before the Braves optioned him to Gwinnett. He didn’t do as well with the Stripers but only had 62 PA there before heading to Cincinnati;
He struggled there as well – .189/.286/.378/.664 with two homers before being sent to AAA last week. The Reds were willing to part with Tucker only because they needed roster space for Gabriel Guerrero.
The Braves contacted them after his demotion and the deal went final today. With Duda on the bench, Tucker hardly seems to fit but the Braves are unhappy with Duvall’s performance so far.