Roster Moves the Atlanta Braves Should Do Today

The biggest change of all could be the obvious one: the return of Matt Kemp. But should the Braves consider a bigger shake-up?

One thing to mention right up front: while the Atlanta Braves laid an egg last night at the hands of Washington, what follows is not a knee-jerk reaction to that single game.

Instead, while we know there’s one move coming, this could be an opportune moment to bring some improvement to issues that have been plaguing this club for the whole season thus far.

What Probably Will Happen

ACTIVATED FROM 10-DAY DL: Matt Kemp
OPTIONED TO AAA GWINNETT: Johan Camargo

This is the path of least resistance. Camargo was brought up when Kemp was placed on the disabled list. This would simply reverse that move.

But that’s not going to address even half of the current issues as the Braves get ready to hit the road once again.

What Should Happen

DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT: Emilio Bonifacio
CONTRACT PURCHASED FROM GWINNETT: Lane Adams
DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT: Chaz Roe, Ian Krol
RECALLED FROM GWINNETT: Jason Hursh
CONTRACT PURCHASED FROM GWINNETT: David Hernandez
CONTRACT PURCHASED FROM GWINNETT: Jason Motte
DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT: Chase d’Arnaud (makes room for Kemp)

In addition to this, we change the Braves lineup:

Ian Krol and Chaz Roe are not only struggling, but there is seriously no improvement in sight. Both are walking more than they are striking out and and their ERAs (14.40 and 9.00 respectively) are easily worst on the club.

While both have been excellent in times past, each needs a chance to get themselves right. While neither has minor league options, the Braves should not be terribly concerned about either being claimed while on Assignment Waivers… but even if so… no harm done here.

UPDATE – In my haste, I neglected to recall a technical point:

Jason Hursh can't be recalled yet without an injury. He was just sent down last Friday.
— Dave Williams (@DWilliamsWJCL22) April 20, 2017

He’s right. Now, my expectation was that Hursh’s presence would be temporary, as Mauricio Cabrera might be able to return soon. Given that, promoting both Motte and Hernandez might truly be a longshot (both are right-handers, too, so that saves Eric O’Flaherty), but the overall idea here is to shake up and improve the bullpen.

Emilio Bonifacio has already looked like he’s flailing at the plate. Last night he also looked the part in the field. It’s time to give Camargo this role and to let him see what he can do with it. Again, I would not expect Boni to be claimed being landing back at Gwinnett.

Lane Adams had a brief cup of coffee with the Royals in 2014, but thus far has been absolutely raking in AAA. He’s hitting .341 with a 1.007 OPS, which includes 4 homers and 15 RBI in just 41 ABs.

He has K’d 14 times and walked only once, but right now that’s still looking a whole lot better than anyone else on the Braves’ bench and might be able to hold his own until Ryan Howard surfaces.

As an added bonus, he can handle center field, which seems to be the main reason that Bonifacio had been lingering around. Adams’ presence would eliminate any concern of being short at that position.

On Chase d’Arnaud: while optioning Camargo is much more likely (99% so since he has options and d’Arnaud does not), I don’t see a long-term future for Chase whereas Camargo seems to have much more upside. Still, if Micah Johnson can come back by July, then the point may be moot between them.

On the Pitching

This would be the third time around for Hursh, but he’s been very good at AAA (excepting a 2 run hiccup last night). He has earned the promotion and a chance to prove himself at the major league level.

For Jason Motte, the bump up a level could be a little early since he only has 3 innings of work at Gwinnett so far. That said, he’s given up very little: 2 hits and a walk for a WHIP of 1.00 and an ERA of 0.0.

One would have hoped that others could allow him to be able to get a bit more work in before being called up, but the Braves can neither afford to keep running Krol or Roe out there, nor can they abuse Luke Jackson any further (who simply was out of gas last night after 3 straight appearances).

On the Lineup

Dansby Swanson is frustrated and it’s starting to show. Some of that involves ball-strike calls, but the reason doesn’t really matter. He’s hitting .131 now with a .159 OBP and needs to have the pressure removed from him.

This isn’t an indictment of his play, but instead a practical change. Brandon Phillips is hitting .315 with a .362 OBP. With Freeman and Kemp following, this makes perfect sense and should serve to bolster the offense all together. This needs to be done until Swanson can get back on track.

Next: Comebacks in Waiting

These are somewhat radical moves, but each one is justifiable on its own. The Braves will likely take the slow road and simply bring Kemp back. But he alone won’t be enough to add if (a) there’s fewer runners to knock in and (b) the bullpen wastes his effort.

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