Atlanta Braves Improve Roster with Late Moves
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves have improved their roster in the last week of Spring Training. Signing two defensively minded players to the bench along with allowing youth to claim starting positions.
The Atlanta Braves signed veteran outfielder Peter Bourjos who will join the team as part of platoon in left field. A platoon that will cover for rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. until he can be brought up and his service time manipulated.
Bourjos is a light hitting outfielder with good speed and a great glove. Adding him to the mix on a one year deal is a good decision that will help make the Braves’ pitching staff better.
He will likely share time in left field as well as backing up the other two outfield positions. It will be interesting to watch who makes the opening day start in left field it wouldn’t be completely surprising if it were Bourjos.
The Braves didn’t stop there addressing defensive concerns on the roster, adding veteran infielder Ryan Flaherty to a deal that will help add a veteran defensive presence to the bench.
Both additions make the Braves roster better though it knocks Rio Ruiz and at least one of the Braves’ outfielders off of the opening day roster.
Ruiz was thought to open the season as the Braves’ third baseman before the addition of Flaherty. The decision may be a wise one considering Ruiz’s recent tendency to strike out and the Braves need of a defensive replacement from the bench.
With the final roster coming out at some point today the Braves shouldn’t have any unexpected surprises though it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make another minor move.
The Braves will open the season tomorrow against the Phillies with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 EST as the season finally kicks off for the Atlanta Braves.