So Here’s Our Roster

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With yesterday’s signing of

, ostensibly to become a LF platoon partner, there’s not much remaining drama to speculate upon for who/what/where might be added to the Braves’ roster between now and the start of Spring Training.

Let’s see what we’ve got to work with, then:

CATCHERS (2)

• LHH Christian Bethancourt (primary)
• LHH A.J. Pierzynski

INFIELDERS (6)

• LHH Freddie Freeman, 1B
• LHH Jace Peterson, 2B
• RHH Andrelton Simmons, SS
• RHH Chris Johnson, 3B
• SWH Alberto Callaspo, 2B/3B
• RHH Philip Gosselin, UTIL

Second/Third base could be run as a three-way platoon situation, with Callaspo batting lefty vs. RH pitching at third base… and/or sharing time with Peterson at second against tough RH pitching.

OUTFIELDERS (4)

• SWH Zoilo Almonte, LF
• RHH Jonny Gomes, LF
• RHH B.J. Upton, CF
• LHH Nick Markakis, RF

At this time, I am projecting that we have no 5th outfielder to backup B.J. Upton.  In a pinch, that probably becomes Almonte.  Gosselin can also handle an outfield spot if needed.

If Nick Markakis is not quite ready to go on opening day, then I would expect Todd Cunningham or somebody like that to hold the spot for a bit.  Other than that, I won’t change the projection, for adding another name here messes up the 25-man count.

BENCH (counted above)

• RHH Gomes or SWH Almonte
• RHH Pierzynski or LHH Bethancourt
• RHH Gosselin
• One of:  RHH Johnson/SWH Callaspo/LHH Peterson

STARTING PITCHERS (5)

• RHP Julio Teheran
• LHP Alex Wood
• LHP Mike Minor
• RHP Shelby Miller
• RHP Michael Foltynewicz (projected)

There are clearly multiple candidates for that 5th starter slot, including David Hale, Manny Banuelos and Wandy Rodriguez.  At this point, just pick a name.

RELIEF PITCHERS (8)

• RHP Craig Kimbrel
• RHP Jason Grilli
• RHP Jim Johnson
• LHP James Russell
• LHP Josh Outman
• LHP Luis Avilan
• RHP Shae Simmons
• RHP Arodys Vizcaino

This list puts 13 pitchers on the staff – 8 in the bullpen.  It leaves out David Hale, who could return to AAA as the ’emergency 6th starter’ if he doesn’t win the 5th starter job.  This also assumes that James Russell becomes the ‘long man in the pen’ for days in which 3-5 innings of relief are required in a lop-sided game.

Next: Can This Braves Offense Be .... Average?

The Payroll

Along with this roster, there is the payroll.

Early in the off-season, John Hart indicated that he had a target payroll between $100 and $120 million.  He’s under that.

The full payroll report identifies all of the assumptions made in this abbreviated report.  In short, I assume that Mike Minor loses his arbitration case, that no incentive dollars are collected, bonuses are paid out immediately (not pro-rated over the contract) and that all pre-arb players will make something close to the major league minimum (set at $510,000).

One point to quibble about:  Daniel Winkler.  Being a Rule 5 Draft guy, he will be officially assigned to the major league roster, and therefore will get major league money.  I did not account for him on the chart above, but go ahead and add another $510,000 for him in your head.  He will be assigned to the 60-day DL just as soon as it becomes available.

So the bottom line then appears to be $97.65 million – which still leaves a bunch of payroll space if… something comes up.

So there we are, ladies and gentlemen:  your 2015 Atlanta Braves!