Braves Rumors: David Fletcher's role with Atlanta is clear
There's no secret as to what David Fletcher's role with the Atlanta Braves will be. Per David O'Brien of The Athletic, the Braves view Fletcher, who was recently acquired from the Los Angeles Angels, as a utility infielder. Atlanta has parted ways with Nicky Lopez, so there is a need in the dugout as a bench defender.
Fletcher was outrighted to the minor leagues when he was acquired by Atlanta, but fans shouldn't take that at face value. Alex Anthopoulos knew that no team would claim Fletcher and his $14 million salary for 2023, which is why he was able to slide through waivers.
Fletcher is in the middle of a five-year contract he signed with the Angels after the 2019-20 campaign, a breakout season for him. MLB Trade Rumors highlighted that Fletcher can play three infield positions well defensively -- second base, shortstop and third base -- but he leaves a lot to be desired at the plate.
"He’s since floundered at the dish, however, batting just .259/.296/.327 in 990 plate appearances. Fletcher’s bat-to-ball skills have actually improved (8.6% strikeout rate), but his quality of contact has plummeted and rendered him an unimpactful player in the batter’s box," wrote Steve Adams.
Anthopoulos and Brian Snitker will lean on Fletcher as a player they can trust defensively, which is more than they can say about Vaughn Grissom, perhaps their best remaining infield option.
Braves rumors: Jarred Kelenic is excited for a fresh start
Jarred Kelenic is no longer the hotshot prospect he once was. Yet, still in his mid-20's, the former Seattle Mariner has a chance to reinvent himself in the Braves outfield. Kelenic had a lot of growing up to do when he made the majors as a 21 years old. He struggled mightily to live up to expectations in Seattle. With the Braves, he doesn't have to carry that same load, as Atlanta has a lineup full of MVP-caliber players.
Kelenic is excited to get started with Atlanta and play for a contender. Likely to slide into the Braves right field vacancy, Kelenic is at the very least a solid defender with plenty of room to grow at the dish. Atlanta hitting coach Kevin Seltzer is one of the best in the majors at what he does. If anyone can turn around Kelenic's mindset, it's him.
“I had some conversation with some people in the front office with the Braves, and they spoke really highly of me when we talked on the phone,” Kelenic said, per The Athletic. “I was really happy to hear that. At the end of the day, I know that I need to just go out and take care of business and do my job. And that’s all I can control. But to hear the support that I have from an organization I haven’t even played for yet was definitely reassuring. And it makes me just super excited to get to work and get out to Florida and start spring training.
Rather than running from his demons, Kelenic isn't afraid to face them. He won't be asked to do as much in Atlanta -- perhaps even platooning with Vaughn Grissom or another outfielder if he can get up to speed -- and that's just fine.
“I look at my struggles that I had (in Seattle), they made me who I am today,” Kelenic said. “But also, they taught me a lot. And I feel like now, like anything, the older I get, the more information I learn and the better off I’m going to be. So I would say that I have had a lot of learning in the last three years, that’s for sure.”
Braves rumors: Is Yoshinobu Yamamoto a realistic fit?
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the next domino to fall in the MLB free agent market, and for good reason. The 25-year-old Japanese ace is a dominant force in what many consider a weak starting pitching market. The demands for controllable, young starters is high, especially those with the ability to spin it like Yamamoto.
The Dodgers and Yankees are reportedly co-favorites to sign Yamamoto, per Jon Heyman. Yamamoto loves the spotlight and wants to play in New York. However joining the LA superteam, especially as a childhood Dodgers fans, is tough to turn down. The Dodgers team pitch included the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and more. FanSided MLB Insider Robert Murray opined that he believed the Dodgers will find a way to land Yamamoto.
"To me, the Dodgers are the favorites for Yamamoto. That’s not based on information from league sources, but it’s because of their need for starting pitchers and how they structured Ohtani’s contract," Murray wrote. "By deferring $68 million in each season of Ohtani’s contract, leaving his annual salary at a mere $2 million, the Dodgers have money to spend. A lot of it. That’s what Ohtani had in mind when he proposed such unprecedented deferrals."
Still, that didn't stop Call To The Pen's Beau Adams from wondering if the Braves would make a move for the Japanese ace. To do so at this point would be a surprise.
While the Braves could use another starting pitcher, Anthopoulos is more likely to add via trade considering his budget is rather small at this point in free agency. If Atlanta does sign a starter, it will not be of the $250 million - $300 million variety.