Atlanta Braves Still Making Roster Moves, Add OF Stubbs

Braves’ apparently not satisfied with outfield options, sign Drew Stubbs with belated Spring Training invitation

In a move that seems to suggest that other wheels could be turning in the organization, the Braves have signed OF/CF Drew Stubbs to a minor league contract with the formality of a Spring Training invitation included. Stubbs opted out of his deal with the Rangers after not being added to their 25-man roster.

We’ll get back to this in a moment; but first, here’s the other roster moves that were announced yesterday – with just three games now remaining on the Spring slate:

Alex Torres – had been sent to the minor league camp earlier; he has now been released (likely by request, though Coppolella was quoted as saying he ‘wasn’t a good fit’)
Manny Banuelos was optioned to AAA – we discussed his plight here.
Mike Foltynewicz was also optioned to AAA – a move he seems to have welcomed, as he believes he’s not quite in shape yet
Catchers Ryan Lavarnway and Blake Lalli were optioned out for the purposes of being assigned as Gwinnett’s catching tandem.

So Why Add Another Outfielder?

Occam’s Razor probably applies here: that the most simple explanation is the most likely explanation. In this case, it’s that the Braves saw a chance to make an improvement over either Michael Bourn or Emilio Bonifacio.

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Bonifacio is probably on borrowed time regardless, but Bourn has now also been placed on notice. Either of them would have been a logical choice to back up Ender Inciarte for off-days or pinch-hitting-related substitutions. However, Stubbs is a league-average center field defender as well – with 5400 innings there. He also has some speed and bat power… albeit with a lot of strikeouts and mediocre average.

All that said, Stubbs is probably a slightly better option than either Bourn or Bonifacio. He’ll get a chance to prove that, too, over the next

3 days

… maybe make that 2 days, as he’s not starting (thus far) today.

Could this have been the precursor to a trade? It’s still possible – this is John Coppolella that we’re talking about, after all. But if so, I don’t believe it would involve Bourn or Bonifacio – teams don’t have to make trades to pick them (or other replacement-level players). This would be more like a Kelly Johnson (who would have to give permission to be traded) or Nick Markakis. If you want to think big, then yes, it’s at least possible that Ender Inciarte could be dealt, but (a) let’s hope not; and (b) I don’t know that there’s any team out there really clamoring for a center fielder at this point.

You could rightly ask: “Why would Stubbs have opted for the Braves without a promised spot?” That’s the kind of question which would push the thinking toward a pending trade deal. However, the flip side is that Atlanta would also not have bothered bringing him in unless he had a realistic chance of making the club, so the betting here is that he’ll be on the bench in Atlanta come Monday.

What Else Might Be Going On Out There?

While David O’Brien is watching a newly-emerging LOOGY candidate with interest (Kyle Kinman), there is still a strong chance that Atlanta tries to locate and acquire another veteran lefty for the bullpen before the weekend.

Several have pointed out that the Orioles released starter Miguel Gonzalez yesterday. He had a bad Spring, throwing to a 9.78 ERA in 19 innings, giving up a robust 35 hits in the process. However, the 31-year-old logged 140+ innings over each of the past 3 seasons with AL-ERA figures of 3.78, 3.23, and 4.91 – with consistent low-90’s velocity throughout.

He also held Atlanta to just 1 earned run over 5 innings two days ago (7 hits and a HBP, but no walks and 4 punchouts in his best Spring outing), so the Braves at least got a first-hand look at him.

Next: The 99th of 100

As always, stay tuned… the Spring clearly still isn’t done yet!

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