Atlanta Braves: Braves Sign Veteran Catcher Kurt Suzuki
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves have made yet another move this off-season adding free-agent Kurt Suzuki to their roster.
The Atlanta Braves have signed free-agent catcher Kurt Suzuki to a one-year deal that is pending a physical. The deal reportedly will insure Suzuki a 1.5 Million dollar salary with at least that much in incentives.
Suzuki will presumably back up or platoon with Tyler Flowers replacing Anthony Recker on the roster. Considering Recker’s struggles in the Major Leagues the move was a needed one that will make the Braves bench a lot better. Suzuki at his best is a .250-.270 hitter who is capable of hitting anywhere from 7-15 homeruns.
He has the experience of a veteran catcher as well and could help Atlanta’s young pitching core. Suzuki spent the majority of his career with the Twins and Athletics though some Braves’ fans may remember his time in Washington.
Suzuki should be expected to slot into the lower portion of the lineup. Depending on how playing time plays out between Flowers and Suzuki it should be a very productive offensive platoon considering the position.
It is yet another move for the Braves that will give them the option to trade a relatively inexpensive deal away if the season turns sour. Signing Suzuki was a good move and one that will shore up the Braves’ bench with little expense.
While many Braves fans were hoping for Matt Wieters, Suzuki is just as good of a catcher as Wieters has been in recent history with less history of injury. Here are their numbers last season in contrast Wieters: .243/.302/.409 Suzuki: .258/.301/.403. Suzuki isn’t elite defensively behind the plate but calls a good game and makes very few errors.
Next: Five Moves for the Braves to Make
The Braves are continuing to add veteran hitters and pitchers that could help make them surprise contenders or be dealt away for prospects at the break. Don’t worry Braves’ fans Spring Training will be here soon enough.