Johan Camargo
Johan Camargo is not someone I was considering for this list until a couple of days ago when I heard the comments from Brian Snitker about not wanting to put him in a bench role.
Snitker doesn’t explicitly say this, but it sounds like Camargo was not happy with his move to the bench last year. And I totally get that after the 2018 he had. I would have been a little ticked off if they replaced me after putting up the numbers he did the season before.
But if he’s not really willing to be a team player, then is that really the kind of guy you want around?
Now, I’m certainly not trying to take a shot at Camargo here, and I’m making a judgment based on bits and pieces — not first-hand, and that’s not fair to him, but that’s all I’ve been given.
But he does play with that Robinson Cano-type of attitude where everything just looks lazy. And while that might not be the case, it comes off that way when you’re not playing well.
Putting all that together, if Camargo doesn’t win the third base job out of spring training, or if he loses it at some point during the season, you have to wonder what kind of attitude he’ll have towards the team.
And at that point it may be best to trade him to a team where he can play every day because I do feel like he can be an everyday player, I’m just not sure that’s with the Braves.
I would love for Camargo to be that super-utility guy, but if he’s unwilling or unhappy to play that role, then I’m not sure what his future is with this team (assuming he loses the third base job).
Hopefully I’m wrong and Johan doesn’t have that kind of attitude/mentality that I described. I really do like Johan and want to see him with this team long-term.
But I also feel like his most valuable role on this team long-term is as a super-utility guy. And if he’s not happy in that role, then maybe the Braves look to satisfy him with a trade.
Those are the five Braves players who I think are entering a crucial season in their career. Let me know your thoughts below and if there is someone you think I missed.