Making the List; Checking Off 2 Tonight: Braves to Sign AJ Pierzynski
A.J. Pierzynski. It could be worse: they could have traded for Jeff Samardzija, another name I can’t spell.
In 24 hours, the Atlanta Braves have resolved two areas of need: replacing a loss in the bullpen and now – the apparent need for a third Catcher. But that’s hardly the best part of this story… you’re gonna love this:
THIS is How Stories Should Be Reported!
Yep – that’s the Story
Meeting up with Fredi G in the Honey-Baked Ham store. That’s how we get our news today. Awesome.
Next: Payroll Update... before Pierzynski Signs
Meanwhile… About A.J.
Anthony John Pierzynski will be 38 years old next week and hails from my hometown – Orlando, FL. He went to the same High School as Johnny Damon – Dr. Phillips HS (which didn’t even exist when I lived there – dang, I’m old). He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 3rd round of the 1994 draft and now has 14-1/2 years of major league service time.
A.J. is another guy who has kicked it around in several different places, having stints with Minnesota, the Giants, the ChiSox (2005-2012), Texas, Boston, and St. Louis. He has played in 1865 major league games, including 102 in 2014. He has been the poster child of catching durability, with 400+ AB and 128+ games played in a consecutive stretch from 2002-2013 – something Evan Gattis has yet to do once.
A.J. has been a pretty robust hitter as well: career average of .281 (.272 in 2013, .251 in 2014) with 177 homers and a 744 OPS.
Pierzynski has never struck out more than 78 times in any season.
Terms of his deal have not been announced – Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is speculating around $2 million for 2015, though I have no source that places him in that ham store this morning. Since there will be a physical involved and the Braves would certainly like to stall on removing anyone from the 40-man roster (as with Jason Grilli), this signing likely will not be official until probably the first full week of January.
The Clubhouse Thing
A.J. Pierzynski. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Given the mention last night of Jason Grilli as a help in the clubhouse as well as in the bullpen, I would be remiss if I did not mention the reputation that A.J. has gathered as a clubhouse pariah. There are several reports, but here’s one quote:
"According to multiple sources within the Red Sox clubhouse, Pierzynski had become such a negative influence on the team that players approached both the Sox coaches and front office to address the problem. The common theme expressed was the catcher’s seeming indifference toward his teammates and the common goals of the same organization that had relied on an all-for-one approach when winning the 2013 World Series."
That’s unfortunate, though hard to say from the outside the extent this takes – though it does appear, when looking at his on-field performance, that such factors have been an issue for him during his career. He seems to be a player many teams opt to pass on despite having offensive numbers rare for a catcher.
I suppose the only hope here is that he can be useful to Christian Bethancourt, Evan Gattis, and the team at large.
The 3 Catcher Thing
I’ll solicit opinions on how it will work this season. Ryan Doumit was useless. AJP (this I can spell) is significantly more of a catcher, and likely should see more time there – in addition to being a significant LH bench bat.
So with this addition, my idea for seeing Gattis behind home for 3-4 days a week could be dead. White Bear might see 1-2 days a week now with the rest of the time split between CBeth and AJP. Meaning: more of Evan in LF…
…unless this allows Hart to move Gattis. Feel free to speculate wildly on that front.
But for now: we have a third catcher.
That seems to leave one starting pitcher on the Braves’ Christmas shopping list.