The Braves are leaning toward starting out with a seven-man bullpen instead of eight, and they could use the additional roster spot to add a hitter to their bench via trade, free agency or waiver claim before Sunday’s noon deadline to finalize opening day rosters.
When left-hander Kevin Chapman cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, the race for the final Braves bullpen spot was ostensibly narrowed to two, right-handers Chaz Roe and veteran newcomer David Hernandez, who signed a minor league deal last weekend. Roe is on the 40-man roster and out of minor league options, meaning he can’t be sent down without clearing waivers.
The Braves have six bullpen spots that seem certain: closer Jim Johnson, Arodys Vizcaino, Jose Ramirez, Josh Collmenter and lefties Eric O’Flaherty and Ian Krol. Going with seven relievers instead of eight doesn’t seem risky considering there are two days off in the schedule during the first eight days of the season and three days off in the first 11.
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“(Chapman) will be be in the mix at Triple-A,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said before Friday night’s exhibition game against the Yankees to open SunTrust Park. “Probably right now we’re leaning toward seven, until we need (an extra reliever) With the off days, I kind of felt like maybe that would be better. But that could change. There’s still guys on waivers and potential trades and all that kind of stuff. But right now it kind of looks like we’re just going to go with seven.
“But like I said, anything can change as we’ve seen in the past. I had my (Triple-A) team change on the drive home (from spring training) more than once.”
As things currently stand, the Braves’ projected bench is one of the lighter-hitting units the team has had in recent memory, with infielder-outfielder Emilio Bonifacio, infielders Jace Peterson and Chase d’Arnaud (who can both also play some outfield) and catcher Kurt Suzuki. But a few hitters with decent power have become available in recent days as teams finalize rosters, and more possibilities could emerge in the next day or so before the roster deadline.
If not attractive option is available for a desirable price, the Braves could stay within their own ranks and call back a player previously sent down such as catcher Anthony Recker, who played well last year while splitting the catching duties most of the season with Tyler Flowers. They also have imposing outfielder Adam Walker, who’s had big power in the minor leagues but has always been plagued by a high strikeout rate and isn’t good defensively.
