Atlanta Braves January Transactions Recap
By Ryan Cothran
If you’ve been away from the Interwebz for a day, you’ve missed some Atlanta Braves news…
If you’ve been away from the Interwebz for a week, you’ve missed quite a bit of Atlanta Braves news….
If you’ve been away from the Interwebz for the entire month, you’ve missed 20% of the 40-man roster being turned over in trades!
3 headings? You really went there? Yup, don’t judge me. I’ve been up with back pain throughout most of the night and just inhaled about 24 ounces of coffee, so you’re stuck with me. Deal with it!
In all seriousness, the Braves have not stopped moving parts of their roster to prepare themselves for a run at 2017. With every move, it has become glaringly obvious that 2017 is the goal. And while we as fans will be told that the Braves are putting out a competitive product for 2015, the odds of the team finishing above .500 are very much against them. Could it happen? Sure. It could happen. However, like I’ve stated in the past, this might be the year where a Braves fan might want to consider purchasing MILB.TV as our minor leagues are going to be very fun to follow. But enough of the crap that you all already know, let’s take a look at more crap you probably know but could use a gentle reminder!
Atlanta Braves January Transactions
Trades- Who’d *we get?
(yes, I’m going to use we even though…no, I do not work for the Braves, play for the Braves, or have any stock in the company. I merely root for them and like to think that I have some sort of mind-power over the front office’s transactions)
1. Manny Banuelos, aka Man-ban (because all creative nicknames have went up in a dumpster fire and it’s just too easy to call someone a shortened version of their own name…sigh I miss El Oso Blanco already). Banuelos is a former top-prospect from the Yankees that, as everyone guessed already, had Tommy John Surgery. He will likely start at AAA Gwinnett and try to continue gaining the form that took him to elite prospect status.
2. Ricardo Sanchez– A 17-year old pitching phenom from the Los Angeles Angels organization. Will likely report to Danville where he will join a star-studded rotation. If you live in Virginia, the future of Braves pitching will largely be pitching there. Go see them!
3. Michael Foltynewicz– a stud flamethrowing RHP from the Houston Astros organization that needs to master control to take the next step. Will compete for the 5th starter spot, but will likely start at AAA Gwinnett with Man-Ban. Gwinnett’s rotation will also be one to watch!
4. Rio Ruiz– the Braves answer for “Who will replace Chris Johnson?” after the Braves traded the answer to “Who will replace Chris Johnson? (Kyle Kubitza). Should report to AA Mississippi and build on his already advanced skillset.
5. Andrew Thurman– 2nd Round pick in 2013 that hasn’t lived up to his hype quite yet. A 4-pitch pitcher with mid-to-back rotation projectability. Will likely report to AA Mississippi due to age, not necessarily success.
6. Jose Briceno– An offense-first catching prospect out of the Colorado Rockies organization who continues to improve defensively. Will likely report to High-A Carolina Mudcats.
7. Chris O’Dowd– Think Briceno, except exact opposite. A defense-first catcher out of the Colorado Rockies organization that continues to improve offensively. Will likely report to AA Mississippi since 2 veterans will be clogging up the catcher’s toilets of Gwinnett.
8. Cash- This guy is elusive and seems to show up in numerous deals throughout the Majors. Tried to look him up at baseball-reference but there’s just too many Cash’s to choose from. I guess he’ll report to the Majors but he’s not yet listed on the 25 or 40-man.
Trades- Who’d we lose?
1. Chasen Shreve– Really liked him and thought he could be the LOOGY the Braves kept around for 6 years. Got to give to receive, I guess… unless you’re a narcissist, then it’s all about YOU! Good luck in pinstripes!
2. David Carpenter– not to be confused with the other David Carpenter who is now with the Braves, but last year’s David Carpenter that was with the Braves, but isn’t any longer. How insulting must it be to get traded, only to be replaced by someone of the same name. Good luck in pinstripes! Really liked rooting for DC as he was a good dude!
3. Kyle Kubitza- I promise not to dwell here long, but I loved Kyle….a very personable young man that knew his game. Whether it be utility or starter, I don’t know, but I think he’ll stick in the Majors for quite a while. Good luck with the Halos!
4. Nate Hyatt– the throw-in to the Kubitza/Sanchez trade. Always sported a high-K rate and will likely get a shot in the Angels bullpen in 2016.
5. Evan Gattis– One of my favorite stories and the most gut-wrenching trade of the offseason. I always thought his defensive skillset was better than advertised, as much as I think Christian Bethancourt‘s is worse than advertised. We will miss you, El Oso!
6. James Hoyt– similar mold to Hyatt and should be part of the Astros bullpen in 2015. Wrote this about him a few months back, but now it’s no longer relevant to the Braves, but to the Astros.
7. Hector Daniel Rodriguez– Seriously hyped as a steal out of the Mexican League a few years back, but that’s all it’s been. Traded to the Orioles, and hopefully Cash brings less hype but more production.
8. David Hale– A great swingman over the past few years and probably deserved to be given an opportunity to start regularly at some point. One of those guys that seems to have fringe “stuff” but has the above average wits to use it correctly. Good luck with the Colorado Rockes, David!
9. Gus Schlosser– A sidewinder that brought some hype with him in spring last year, but fizzled after an ineffective stint in the Majors. Was DFA’d earlier in the offseason, but rejoined the Braves minor leagues. Could be an effective ROOGY in due time. Good luck in the upper altitudes, Schloss!
Who’d we sign/claim?
1. Josh Outman– former LOOGY of the Colorado Rockies that will try to claim that spot for the Braves. Has 2 years of control so that’s good. Will report to the Atlanta Braves.
2. A.J. Pierzynski– formerly played for everyone, liked by no one. Braves need to bring some tough love to the clubhouse and A.J. seems just the buttplug ( I use that term affectionately) to do so. Will report to the Atlanta Braes
3. Joe Benson– former Twins top prospect who rebounded nicely last year and could be a future CF option should he continue to rebound. Will report to AAA Gwinnett.
4. Jason Grilli– former closer of the Pittsburgh Pirates and will take over setup man for the Braves. Will report to the Atlanta Braves.
5. Wandy Rodriguez– former LHP in the Houston Astros organization. Was incredibly consistent when healthy, but he hasn’t been that in a while. Failed a physical earlier in the offseason, but evidently passed enough to be given a Minor League deal. Will compete for 5th starter, so will either be in Atlanta, or likely opt-out to find another deal.
6. Kelly Johnson– it’s been a long, eventful road but all roads lead home, right? Kelly will compete for a utility spot and will likely opt out of his deal if he doesn’t make the team.
7. David Carpenter- same name…honestly about the same pitcher. Will likely report to AAA Gwinnett.
8. Dail Villanueva– don’t look him up, his stat-line will scare you. Likely just organizational filler and will likely report to High-A Carolina.
9. Eury Perez– Claimed from the New York Yankees who claimed him from the Washington Nationals. Will likely report to AAA Gwinnett but could be on the fast track to the Majors should B.J. Upton stink up the joint for the 3rd straight year.
10. Jesus Flores– after this offseason, the Braves fans were in need of a little Jesus and they got some. Will report to AAA Gwinnett to mentor the pitching staff there.
11. Dian Toscano- our little unknown Cuban. Will report to AAA Gwinnett for some seasoning, but will likely be on the fast track to the Majors either in a starting or bench role, more likely the latter.
12. Jonny Gomes– the RH platoon bat in LF and another clubhouse leader that wears obnoxious American flag suits. Bring the flare, Jonny!
13. Leyson Septimo– as with Villanueva, don’t look him up, just accept that the Braves know something we don’t. Will likely report to AAA Gwinnett.
14. John Buck– one of those catcher’s clogging up AAA Gwinnett’s toilet. Could see action in the bigs should Christian Bethancourt or A.J. get injured.
Who was sent packing, but might choose to stay?
1. Tyler Pastornicky– was supposedly the 2b of the future when we acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays, but that ship’s sailed off the flat planet. DFA’d but has been outrighted to Gwinnett for now.
2. Jose Constanza– He must be the greatest man alive because the Braves looked to have done everything they possibly could to keep from DFA’ing him, but it was inevitable. He’s in limbo right now, but I’d bet he’ll return to Gwinnett.
That’ll do it, folks. Which Minor Leaguer are you most excited about out of this crew? Major Leaguer? Let’s hear it! Shout it out loud, but not in all caps because that’s annoying to EVERYONE!