After one of the busiest offseasons any team’s had in recent years, the Braves report to spring training – pitchers and catchers on Friday, position players next week — with a revamped 40-man roster, improved depth in their minor league system, and a whole lot of decisions to make before opening day.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who’ll conduct the first workout for pitchers and catchers Saturday and first full-squad workout Feb. 26.
The Braves’ future looks brighter than a few months ago, but there are low expectations from industry insiders for this year’s team. Atlanta added one accomplished lineup regular (Nick Markakis) and traded three of its top four (Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, Jason Heyward) from the majors’ second-worst offense. They got mostly prospects back.
The Braves think they can surprise folks. They say their goal is a postseason berth, despite being picked by many pundits to lose 90 or more games. It all starts with seven weeks of spring training, featuring more position battles and compelling storylines to follow than in any Braves spring in quite some time. Here’s a preview of some big ones:
Who'll be the fifth starter? There are options young and old to fill the final spot in the rotation behind Julio Teheran, Shelby Miller and left-handers Alex Wood and Mike Minor, assuming Minor is over the shoulder woes that plagued him in a career-worst 2014 season. Leading candidates for the fifth spot: prospects Mike Foltynewicz and Manny Banuelos and veterans Eric Stults and lefty Wandy Rodriguez.
Hard-throwing Foltynewicz came from the Astros in the Gattis trade, and Banuelos from the Yankees in exchange for relievers David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve. Stults, who had a 4.10 ERA in 65 starts (379 2/3 innings) for the Padres the past two seasons, and Rodriguez, limited to 18 starts in that period due to injuries, signed minor league contracts.
How will the bullpen shake out? Closer Craig Kimbrel and lefty James Russell are the only returners from last season who seem assured of making the opening-day bullpen. Former All-Star closers Jason Grilli and Jim Johnson were signed to be setup men, and Josh Outman joins Russell to give the Braves a pair of quality lefties.
That would leave only two openings, and at least four candidates: hard-throwing former Braves prospect Arodys Vizcaino, reaquired from the Cubs; non-roster invitees Jose Veras and Michael Kohn, who both are hard-throwing proven commodities, and incumbent lefty Luis Avilan, coming off a poor season.
What's the ETA for Peraza? The question is not if Jose Peraza will be the Braves' future second baseman and leadoff hitter, but when? The Braves' top-rated prospect hit .339 with 11 triples and 60 stolen bases in 110 games last season. He's 20 and has only 195 plate appearances above Single-A. The Braves say they won't rush him, and don't have to after signing versatile Alberto Callaspo. Still, Peraza will ample opportunities this spring to show he's ready.
So, Callaspo at 2B to start out? He's a likely candidate, but the Braves also have utility man Phil Gosselin, trade acquisition Jace Peterson and non-roster invitee Kelly Johnson. One of them could see plenty of action at second if the Braves decide to have Callaspo share third-base duties with Chris Johnson, who struggled against righties.
Platoons figure to be utilized far more extensively by the Braves than in recent years. They’ll have a platoon in left and potentially at second and third. Also, they could go with platoons to varying degrees at two other positions, if rookie catcher Christian Bethancourt or center fielder B.J. Upton struggles. Veteran A.J. Pierzynski was signed as a backup and mentor to Bethancourt, but the Braves will use Pierzynski or another veteran catcher more, if necessary.
How long will Braves stick with B.J. Upton? Excoriated for his dismal performance in the first two years of a five-year, $75.25 million contract, Upton must improve if he's to stay in the lineup this season. The Braves couldn't trade him because of the more than $46 million he's owed, but he could be benched before June if he's as bad as he's been since arriving in Atlanta. Among center-field options: non-roster invitee Eury Perez, 24, who hit .310 with a .371 OBP and 26 steals for Nationals minor league affiliates last season; ex-Yankee prospect Zoilo Almonte, non-roster invitee Eric Young Jr., and minor leaguer Todd Cunningham.
What about the outfield corners? J-Up and J-Hey were traded, and the Braves signed veteran right fielder Markakis and left fielder Jonny Gomes. Markakis is recovering from December neck surgery for a ruptured disk and is expected to ease into spring training and be at full strength before opening day. Gomes' power has declined but he remains a proficient hitter vs. lefties. He'll platoon in left, likely with Almonte, who blistered right-handed pitching in the Dominican winter league, or Young. The Braves like the idea of Young in the lineup because he's a speedy leadoff hitter and would allow Markakis to move down in the order, at least vs. righties.
How's the clubhouse? Team chemistry is dismissed by many outside observers. But most players, coaches and managers agree it's often a significant factor. Last year's Braves lacked good chemistry and leadership, deficiencies that became glaring after the team's 17-7 start receded and the Braves had several slumps that became protracted. Braves officials considered that this winter, bringing in veterans known for being leaders by example (Markakis) or outspoken types such as Gomes, Pierzynski and Grilli. Spring training is where team chemistry is established.
This is an abbreviated version of a story that runs in full on MyAJC.com and in Friday's AJC print edition. To read the complete version, please go to MyAJC.com or use this link.
