3 Braves DFA candidates who could lose their 40-man roster spot

The Braves don’t need to carry four catchers on the 40-man roster which means a DFA for Chadwick Tromp

Chadwick Tromp joined the Braves last year in September when he was selected off of waivers from the San Francisco Giants. In limited big league action, he hasn’t hit well. He profiles more as a defensive backup option than a guy vying for more regular starts.

What makes Tromp a likely DFA candidate? The Braves already have Travis d’Arnaud and Manny Pina on the major league roster. Along with Tromp in the minor leagues on the 40-man roster is the younger catcher William Contreras.

In this case, age does matter more than the number of minor league options left. Tromp actually has a pair of them compared to Contreras with just one left. Either one would be a reasonable pick for the Braves to DFA if needed. Contreras has been with the organization much longer and showed positive signs offensively in 2021. Even at the major league level, Contreras was able to hit 8 home runs in 185 plate appearances. He joined the Braves in the postseason but only received a single at-bat in the NLDS.

Tromp, 27, is far more replaceable than the more youthful Contreras. Contreras has a better upside, too. Even if he doesn’t evolve beyond being a backup either, there’s a little more potential there.

Carrying four catchers on a 40-man roster doesn’t make much sense. The Braves will need to add at least one position player to it before Opening Day. For Tromp, it could mean a DFA coming his way. However, even if it does happen with Tromp, he can always re-sign on a minor league deal.