Today’s Braves’ Depth Chart – December 20

The landscape really looks different now.  The chart below can be seen on the Braves mlb.com site, and is (clearly) updated regularly – though I’m not sure how anyone keeps up with the Padres’ chart – including their own staff.

I was intending to run my own graphic, but it’s Saturday and I’m feeling lazy.  Besides, this is pretty close.  Nonetheless, there are a couple of things to note:

• Curiously, this chart doesn’t even bother to list a 5th starter (the Mariners’ chart shows seven)- presumably that would be David Hale at this time.  I do expect Hart to pursue a free agent starting pitcher before Christmas – we’ll see if he can get that done, but I would anticipate that it might be somebody akin to Aaron Harang:  somebody who could be expected to reliably eat a bunch of innings.  He could also take a flyer on a “risk” pitcher – whether a Brandon Beachy, Chad Billingsley, or the like (there’s literally a dozen names I could add here).
• Congratulations, Christian Bethancourt:  after signing way back in 2008 and paying your dues in full, you are now the starting Catcher for the Atlanta Braves.  But we’ll still try and find you somebody to give you at least a couple of days off each week (see below).
• There’s still a wild card that is not accounted for on this chart:  Dian Toscano.  Last heard, he is still not technically signed, and likely won’t be until he can legally arrive on US soil.  Visa issues – as usual – are said to be the hang-up.
• The 40-man roster now has 39 names on it.  Coming off this week:  Anthony Varvaro, Justin Upton, Aaron Northcraft.  Added:  Jace Peterson and Alberto Callaspo.  That does leave an open spot for Toscano… but as suggested above, there’s a lot of changes still to come – including a pitcher and catcher at least.
• Astute observers will also notice that there are 28 unique names on that depth chart – so at least 3 don’t make the 25-man roster in April.  It’s probable that 1 or 2 of the bullpen names, plus Elmer Reyes, Jose Constanza, either Zoilo Almonte or Joey Terdoslavich, and Todd Cunningham would be the candidates for Gwinnett.  Toscano will likely need some minor-league time as well.
• No, you don’t see Jose Peraza on that chart, either.  As Fred suggested in a comment yesterday, I do think this spate of new infielders means that he will be slow-rolled through Gwinnett.  Not to worry:  he’s still just 20 years old.

Next: After the Upton Trade: What Now?

One more thing

My odds that Evan Gattis is traded?  Down to about 25-30%.  He certainly doesn’t need to be moved – the Braves would do just as well in a deal next year as this year.  In fact, most teams are now done with their major moves, so it’s reasonable to think that a deal next year makes more sense in terms of getting a big haul in return.

But if the White Bear sticks around, I would anticipate that he’s in left field for 3 games a week and catches 3 games a week, perhaps spelling CBeth against tough RHP. That should also keep the 4th outfielder hitting decently.

But now would be a good time to quote Joaquin Andujar, who once famously said that you could sum this situation up in just one word:  “you never know.”