Rumor: Atlanta Braves expected to non-tender Charlie Culberson
By Steven Teal
It has been reported that the Atlanta Braves are expected to non-tender fan-favorite utility man, Charlie Culberson.
The Atlanta Braves have until 8 p.m. on Monday evening to decide what arbitration-eligible players they will tender contracts to.
Here’s the list of players and their projected salaries for 2020:
- Shane Greene – $6.5M
- Mike Foltynewicz – $7.5M
- Adam Duvall – $3.8M
- Dansby Swanson – $3.3M
- Luke Jackson – $1.9M
- Charlie Culberson –$1.8M
- Johan Camargo – $1.6M
- John Ryan Murphy – $1.2M
- Grant Dayton – $800K
I think it’s safe to assume that everyone on this list, except for catcher John Ryan Murphy, will be back on the 2020 roster.
However, that’s before Mark Bowman reported that the Braves are likely to non-tender Culberson before the deadline.
It sounds like the Braves may non-tender Charlie Culberson before tonight's deadline. This would not be a popular decision. Culberson's value would seemingly be increased next year when the 26-man rosters are put in place.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 2, 2019
It certainly wouldn’t be a popular decision amongst Atlanta Braves fans. Culberson has been an excellent teammate and provided some memorable moments in the two years he’s donned a Braves uniform.
If you needed someone to come through in a clutch moment, you knew you could depend on Charlie to produce. It’s a shame that his time in a Braves uniform would end with a hit-by-pitch, but this is a business and unpopular decisions will be made.
Now, why would Atlanta consider non-tendering a contract to such a great bench piece? Especially considering that rosters will feature a 26th spot in 2020?
They may believe that Culberson deserves a shot at playing every day for another team and are opting to give him the opportunity to do so. It certainly isn’t money-driven as he is expected to make under $2 million next season.
It’s possible that they believe Johan Camargo is a more valuable piece moving into 2020 with uncertainty still surrounding the third base position. Camargo is a little younger and costs just a little less than Culberson would.
I’m sure the front office will offer some sort of explanation when and if the move is made official. All I’m certain of is that it will upset some fans, but I trust AA and the rest of his staff to make the right decisions.
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I’m grateful for all that Charlie did for this team while he was in Atlanta and the memories he created for us.