The Atlanta Braves recently announced Michael Harris II began a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Gwinett Stripers on April 26.
The #Braves today placed RHP Joe Jimenez on the paternity list and recalled LHP Danny Young to Atlanta. Additionally, OF Michael Harris II tonight begins a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 26, 2023
Just the other day, veteran closer Rasiel Iglesias was throwing live BP off the mound to Harris II as he works his way back to the team. Atlanta is also due back reliever Lucas Luetge, catcher Travis d’Arnaud and shortstop Orlando Arcia in the near future. Eli White and Joe Jimenez are on the paternity list. Nick Solak has been recalled to take White’s spot while Collin McHugh has been reactivated from the IL.
That is five players that will need one of the 26 MLB roster spots. In short, some people have to go.
Atlanta has an easy decision upon the return of d’Arnaud, as Chadwick Tromp will be sent back to Triple-A. It is the other four players that will push for more difficult decisions.
What will the Atlanta Braves do about the roster crunch?
Outfield
Michael Harris is due back first and it was Eli White that was brought up from the minors in his place. The easy choice would be to just send him back, but perhaps that is not the best choice. White is an ultra-utility player with top-end speed. His versatility and speed alone should allow him to stay with the big club.
Sam Hilliard is out of minor league options but is not likely to be discussed anyways due to his play so far this season. He currently has a 0.9 bWAR, which is the same as Max Fried and better than Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley. When Harris II returns, Hilliard should, at worst, platoon with Kevin Pillar in left field.
Speaking of Pillar, the veteran left fielder has made the most of his opportunity. His defense is obviously better than that of Ozuna and at the bare minimum enough to earn a platoon spot, hitting against lefties.
Last season, the worst WAR belonged to Robinson Chirinos of the Baltimore Orioles at -1.6 in 226 plate appearances. Eddie Rosario finished at a -1.1 in his 270 plate appearances. At 63 plate appearances, Marcell Ozuna is on pace to have one of the worst seasons in MLB history, as he currently has 4 hits in 55 at bats, good for a -0.9 WAR.
Sometimes the adult in the room has to take the kids’ toy away to protect them. It does not matter how many times the adult can tell them to not play with it and it will hurt you, the stubborn child will still go for it because it is there.
Alex Anthopoulos needs to take Marcell Ozuna away from Brian Snitker. The “he’s on my team, so he will play” philosophy is quite silly. Ozuna most often finds himself in the lineup as the designated hitter. Typically that position is reserved for someone who hits. For whatever reason, Snitker deploys a guy who cannot.
Cut bait. Keep Eli White up because he can actually help your team. Let Ozuna find a team in Japan.
Shortstop
Normally I would say keep Grissom and his bat up and do what you will with Ehire Adrianza. However, in this case, Vaughn Grissom absolutely needs the reps in the field down at Gwinnett. He is legitimately not ready to be an everyday shortstop at this level. Outside of the Chadwick Tromp demotion, this is probably one of the easier choices for Snitker to make. Fun fact: Eli White can fill in at shortstop too, which is another reason to keep the speedster.
Bullpen
Michael Tonkin and Lucas Luetge (IL) are both out of options. Nick Anderson, Dylan Lee and AJ Minter are going nowhere anytime soon. Snitker’s choice upon the return of Rasiel Iglesias will be between risking Tonkin on waivers or cutting ties with Jesse Chavez. Then, when Luetge is ready to return, do you risk him on waivers or get rid of Kirby Yates?
In an eight-man bullpen, Snitker has to decided between two or three lefties. Lucas Luetge has not been great this year but is he kept simply because he is a southpaw?
The Roster Solution
- Send down Chadwick Tromp for Travis d’Arnaud
- DFA Marcell Ozuna for Michael Harris II
- Place Jesse Chavez on waivers for Rasiel Iglesias
- Place Lucas Luetge on waivers when he returns
- Send down Vaughn Grissom for Orlando Arcia
This is not going to be what happens, but it is what would give Atlanta the best 26 going forward.