Well men and women, the 2013 Atlanta Braves season is almost here; only 2 more weeks! Truly, I should remove the work "only" and replace it "still". This has quite possibly been the most laggard spring training that I can retrieve, it just tends to puff on and on endlessly. With the season approaching, the options get a little tougher each round of cuts that the team has to carry out. The fundamental roster is set with only a few questions still to be answered
The two extra bench positions will probably go to Jordan Schafer and Evan Gattis, at least for starters. Once Brian McCann is included back into the starting lineup in mid-April, the Atlanta Braves will probably send Gattis back to Gwinnett so that he can proceed to get regular at bats. More on that later, because that is going to be an advantageous plot to follow to say the least. I believe that Jordan Schafer will be with the team at least through July, only because he is out of minor league options. He is sure good enough of a player that an outfield hungry team like the Mets would rarely let him clear waivers. The Mets are an example, the materiality is that there are many teams that would want and have his offerings. The second outfield and bench player option is Jose Constanza, and Constanza is not out of minor league options. Regardless of his recent visa issues preventing him from getting to big league camp; the available minor league option will make the decision fairly easy for the Atlanta Braves. Of course, once that option is exercised there is no limit on how many times he can be shuttled back and forth between Gwinnett and Atlanta throughout the season. He will most likely be the first call-up for the Atlanta Braves once Evan Gattis is sent down, assuming he gets sent down at all. Evan Gattis can hit, I don't think there are many doubters left pondering on his offensive ability
The question throughout the spring and even last year was not if, but when will he be a big league player. He can hit the ball, there is little question about that. The problem that the Atlanta Braves have is where to play him and how much playing time will he partake. I believe this is a bigger concern to them than they are letting on, but certainly not one where they were caught off guard. As he has elevated through the minor league system the Atlanta Braves have moved him out from behind the plate to try and fill what they see as a potential future hole in their roster. Prior to the trade bringing Justin Upton to the Atlanta Braves, he was more than likely ear marked for the everyday left field job. With our outfield stacked with talent, he will probably fill in as the back up catcher until Brian McCann returns. Beyond that, I really don't see a area on this roster that will give him daily playing time; more importantly, consistent at bats. After all, it is his offense that has the Atlanta Braves foaming out of the mouth. Generally, when you can hit they will find a place for you.
The complication is that there are only so many spots for regular playing time and he looks to be the odd man out. Barring an injury to an everyday player, and that is certainly possible, he will find himself in Gwinnett getting regular at bats. For that reason, I would not at all be taken by surprise to see him traded away at the trade deadline
The Atlanta Braves have some very hard choices to make. However, it is always good to be bursting at the seam with talent. I look forward to watching how all of this unfolds; should be fabulous.
The two extra bench positions will probably go to Jordan Schafer and Evan Gattis, at least for starters. Once Brian McCann is included back into the starting lineup in mid-April, the Atlanta Braves will probably send Gattis back to Gwinnett so that he can proceed to get regular at bats. More on that later, because that is going to be an advantageous plot to follow to say the least. I believe that Jordan Schafer will be with the team at least through July, only because he is out of minor league options. He is sure good enough of a player that an outfield hungry team like the Mets would rarely let him clear waivers. The Mets are an example, the materiality is that there are many teams that would want and have his offerings. The second outfield and bench player option is Jose Constanza, and Constanza is not out of minor league options. Regardless of his recent visa issues preventing him from getting to big league camp; the available minor league option will make the decision fairly easy for the Atlanta Braves. Of course, once that option is exercised there is no limit on how many times he can be shuttled back and forth between Gwinnett and Atlanta throughout the season. He will most likely be the first call-up for the Atlanta Braves once Evan Gattis is sent down, assuming he gets sent down at all. Evan Gattis can hit, I don't think there are many doubters left pondering on his offensive ability
The question throughout the spring and even last year was not if, but when will he be a big league player. He can hit the ball, there is little question about that. The problem that the Atlanta Braves have is where to play him and how much playing time will he partake. I believe this is a bigger concern to them than they are letting on, but certainly not one where they were caught off guard. As he has elevated through the minor league system the Atlanta Braves have moved him out from behind the plate to try and fill what they see as a potential future hole in their roster. Prior to the trade bringing Justin Upton to the Atlanta Braves, he was more than likely ear marked for the everyday left field job. With our outfield stacked with talent, he will probably fill in as the back up catcher until Brian McCann returns. Beyond that, I really don't see a area on this roster that will give him daily playing time; more importantly, consistent at bats. After all, it is his offense that has the Atlanta Braves foaming out of the mouth. Generally, when you can hit they will find a place for you.
The complication is that there are only so many spots for regular playing time and he looks to be the odd man out. Barring an injury to an everyday player, and that is certainly possible, he will find himself in Gwinnett getting regular at bats. For that reason, I would not at all be taken by surprise to see him traded away at the trade deadline
The Atlanta Braves have some very hard choices to make. However, it is always good to be bursting at the seam with talent. I look forward to watching how all of this unfolds; should be fabulous.
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