The news has been upbeat in Atlanta Braves Spring camp this week, but we’re always here to throw on buckets of cold reality.
It’s not like we want to be the Debbie Downers of Atlanta Braves baseball. But lately it’s been coming naturally to us. Sorry about that.
Most of this, of course, comes because of relative inaction from the Front Office this Winter.
Yes: the major tasks were done… Drew Smyly, Charlie Morton, and (eventually) Marcell Ozuna. Since then we’ve expected the following:
- a veteran backup catcher to spell d’Arnaud
- reliable bench bats from the left and right sides for the bench
- a higher-profile bullpen arm
What we’ve seen happen, though, is the following:
- No outside catcher signing … and no, the signing of Hendrik Clementina is not for purposes of backing up d’Arnaud. Looks like a competition between Alex Jackson and William Contreras.
- The return of Pablo Sandoval, plus the recent addition of Jason Kipnis and Travis Demeritte
- Additional signings of Ehire Adrianza, Ambioris Taverez, and Gabriel Liendo
- Minor league deals with Carl Edwards Jr. and Nate Jones
Not exactly what we were expecting for a team that believes it can compete for a World Series crown.
Atlanta Braves aren’t financially flexible?
The reason for this has to involve the team’s payroll budget… with all the signings around the league over the past couple of weeks, it’s the only explanation since almost anyone could be picked up for less than $2 million… and that’s if these guys actually make the club.
This leaves us more than a bit concerned that the Atlanta Braves are clinging to the hope that they can weather any possible injury storms that might pass their way and can limp along until the trade deadline comes in the middle of Summer.
That hasn’t been the case in past years, as the Injured List has been a factor.
In the meantime, there is good news about Mike Soroka‘s possible return, but even with that, we have concerns that he might be rushed back… or that he might hurt himself throwing whilst favoring his repaired ankle.
But that demands the Braves reign Mike back to keep him on the narrow road to recovery… and hopefully they do.
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Thanks for checking us out this week, and we hope we have some better upbeat news next week as the position players report next week!