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Atlanta Braves Free Agent Profile: Robinson Chirinos

By Benjamin Chase

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Catcher Robinson Chirinos #61 of the Texas Rangers looks on during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Park on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Texas won 14-3. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Robinson Chirinos
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Catcher Robinson Chirinos #61 of the Texas Rangers looks on during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Park on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Texas won 14-3. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Robinson Chirinos /
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Atlanta Braves
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 10: Robinson Chirinos #61 of the Texas Rangers celebrates a win after a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Rangers won 6-3. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

The contract cost

Alan had a piece talking about the rumors of Atlanta Braves interest in Robinson Chirinos. While Alan mentioned that this would close the book on the Atlanta Braves catching for the winter, I wonder if there could have been an intentional reach to a guy like Chirinos after seeing the struggles the team had when either Flowers or Kurt Suzuki was hurt in 2018.

Chirinos will likely have a market around the $3-5 million mark in the free agent market this offseason, and with many teams having catching openings, he could easily find work at that level, even as a backup. However, as multiple teams have now entered the trade market with catching as well, the market could be flooded with guys at Chirinos’ skill level.

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If Chirinos would be amenable to a low base with incentive-based bonuses, he could be a very good target for the Atlanta Braves. If Chirinos would sign for $1-3 million base with bonuses for games played and a vesting option for 2020 based on games played, that would work very well. Otherwise, $3-4 million in one season would be a wise investment.

However, one target the Atlanta Braves have this season is to lengthen their catching depth in the top levels of the season. The team is not ready to use Alex Jackson at the major league level, and they do not have a player who is close to major league ready as a catcher. Top catching prospect William Contreras is a personal favorite, but even I, as one of his biggest fans, don’t see him factoring into the team until 2020.

That could put the Braves in the market for multiple catchers, and they could be willing to pay for a player to sit in AAA for much of the season if that player is staring at no other options. Contacting Chirinos as he comes off a “down” season could be a very wise move as far as that goal is concerned, as Chirinos could end up a very good guy to scoop up if his market doesn’t develop initially for that $1 million major league base with the ability to add on with games plays while being signed to an initial minor league deal. While signing a player like Chirinos to such a contract may seem a long-shot, an expanding catcher market could allow some interesting options to happen if the Braves are ready to strike!

Next. FA profile: Donaldson. dark

The Atlanta Braves do need another catcher, and while Robinson Chirinos would seem to be a backup option for their true catching targets this offseason, he could end up a very high-level third catcher as well.

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