Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 9/4
By Jeff Schafer
Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 9/4
Braves recall Gattis, put him in lineup vs Mets
"The Atlanta Braves recalled Evan Gattis from the minors and have him playing left field and batting sixth Tuesday night against the New York Mets.The Braves optioned Gattis, a 27-year-old rookie catcher and left fielder, to Triple-A Gwinnett last Friday after he hit .139 in 36 August at-bats. He went 6 for 13 with two doubles and one homer in three games with Gwinnett.Gattis was the NL rookie of the month for April and May, but has hit .188 with three homers and 15 RBIs since June 1. Though he’s played in only 79 games, Gattis is the rookie leader with 47 RBIs and ranks second with 15 homers.Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Gattis will likely be in the lineup in four of the next five games."
Kameron Loe to Make Spot Start for Atlanta Braves, Give Julio Teheran a Rest
"The Atlanta Braves will send Kameron Loe to the mound against the New York Mets on Wednesday in order to give Julio Teheran a much needed rest.Teheran’s next start will likely see him eclipse his personal record of most innings pitched in a season. He threw 164 1/3 innings comibined between Atlanta and Triple-A Gwinnett in 2011 and has pitched 161 1/3 innings this season, though he has been effective with a 3.01 ERA.Loe was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett after his only two appearances as a Brave saw him give up three runs over 2 2/3 innings.But hold your skepticism, Braves fans. Loe turned things around with Triple-AGwinnett, giving up one run or less in four of his last five starts.“I ended up talking my way into the starting rotation down there,” Loe said on braves.com. “I wanted to do that so I could work on my changeup, my cutter, a couple other things that I felt like I needed to do, and it gave me a chance to get a lot of repetitions, which is good.”"
Braves rumors: Brian McCann may be priced out of Atlanta
"The Braves have interest in keeping all-star catcher Brian McCann in Atlanta, but they may not have the available funds to do so on the open market this fall, speculates David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.McCann and the club have agreed to hold off on contract discussions until the postseason ends, so when Atlanta does get around to discussing a new contract with the backstop, it’ll have to compete with the 29 other teams. The lack of an exclusive window may end up killing the club’s chances of retaining McCann, writes O’Brien, because several other teams will likely have much more to offer.O’Brien believes that teams from both leagues will offer McCann a deal in the Yadier Molina range — five years, $75 million — but does not think the Braves will be one of them. Atlanta’s payroll has hovered around $90 million for the last five seasons and, with just $43 million in guaranteed salary on the books for 2014, it seems like the Braves would have the money needed to ink McCann. However, with Craig Kimbrel, Freddie Freeman, Kris Medlen, Chris Johnson, and Jason Heyward all headed for hefty raises in arbitration, that money dwindles pretty quickly."
Atlanta Braves Salaries
Sep 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) reaches to shake hands with catcher Brian McCann (16) after defeating the New York Mets at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Mets 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
"Daniel Cooley Uggla$13,146,942Melvin Emmanuel Upton$13,050,000Brian Michael McCann$12,000,000Justin Irvin Upton$9,750,000Timothy Adam Hudson$9,000,000Paul Gurner Maholm$6,500,000Scott Jeremy Downs$5,000,000Eric George O’Flaherty$4,320,000Jason A. Heyward$3,650,000Kristopher Allen Medlen$2,600,000Christopher Dalton Johnson$2,287,500Jonathan William Venters$1,625,000Reed Cameron Johnson$1,600,000Gerald Lee III Laird$1,500,000Kameron David Loe$1,050,000Luis Ignacio Ayala$1,000,000Craig M. Kimbrel$655,000Frederick Charles Freeman$560,000Jordan J. Schafer$512,500Michael David Minor$505,000"