Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop – Hector Olivera, Spring Training Cuts, Eric Young’s Homer
By Jeff Schafer
Pitchers Matt Capps, Ian Thomas among Atlanta Braves’ first spring roster cuts
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The Atlanta Braves made their first “cuts” of the 2015 Spring Training on Monday afternoon. They shortened their roster by six players and now the Braves have 60 players at camp. Four of the six of these guys were expected to be in the minors soon but I would of thought the Braves keep Thomas and Capps around for a little longer. Cuts had to be made and these were the first to go. I’m surprised with Thomas being cut since he pitched well last year and was in line to compete for a bullpen job with the Braves.
"Veteran reliever Matt Capps was among four players re-assigned, along with catchers Yenier Bello and Tanner Murphy and infielderJohan Camargo. Left-hander pitcher Ian Thomas and infielder Elmer Reyes were optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.Capps, a former All-Star closer with the Washington Nationals, was among a flurry of Braves’ reliever signings prior to camp but was considered a long-shot to make the Opening Day roster. The 31-year-old Georgia native — who has not appeared in the majors since 2012 with Minnesota due to shoulder problems — allowed four hits and two runs in two spring training appearances."
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Atlanta Braves in the mix for Hector Olivera, but at what cost?
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Atlanta Braves beat writer David O’Brien tweeted out last night that the Braves have been scouting Olivera hard but do not want to overpay. The 29-year-old is projected to be a second base or third base major league player…two positions the Braves could possibly need in 2015. Though they have a potential star in Jose Peraza at second base, he’s not ready for the big leagues yet…and then, if Chris Johnson has the kind of season he had in 2014, the Braves could be looking to fill that gap quickly.
"Over the weekend, word began to spread that the Atlanta Braves have become a potential suitor for Cuban infielder Hector Olivera. Given the team’s lack of high-quality options at two of the four infield positions, namely second base and third base, it isn’t a surprise that John Hart and company could be looking to add a high-impact piece to the mix, but Ken Rosenthal reports that Olivera’s final asking price could reach $70 million, making this a potentially franchise-changing decision should the Braves get involved.As a primer, Ben Badler of Baseball America provided this snippet as a snap-shot of Atlanta’s current situation on the infield:Their second base options for 2015 are all borderline replacement-level players, though top prospect Jose Peraza could be ready to take over that spot in 2016. Third baseman Chris Johnson hit well from 2012-13 but struggled badly last year and is entering his age-30 season. He’s owed $23.5 million over the next three years, but he isn’t locked into the Braves’ future plans if he struggles again in 2015. With second base open, the Braves have an immediate place they could put Olivera, then reassess their options at third a year from now depending on how Peraza and Johnson fare in 2015."
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Eric Young Jr hits a ball deep to right field in Monday’s Spring Training matchup versus the Washington Nationals. This was in the top of the 3rd inning to put the Braves up 2-0. Young has impressed early on with his appearances at the plate as well as defensively. Though he’s hitting just .182 in 11 games, he has an on-base percentage of .400 and made a spectacular catch in center field last week. He looks to have the early lead at the center field position.