Atlanta Braves Calling up Veteran Powerhouse Jose Bautista
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves are calling up veteran Jose Bautista. Bautista will join the Braves to play third base and bring power to the lineup. Adding Bautista is a great move for both sides.
Jose Bautista will be the Atlanta Braves’ starting third baseman for the time being. With top prospect Austin Riley at least a year away the Braves were in need of a stopgap. Jose Bautista will fill that role while bringing much-needed power.
Bautista is an expendable contract who can only help the Braves. If he were to struggle the Braves have depth options and could quickly trade or cut the veteran.
Bouncing back and defying expectations are the biggest stories of Bautista’s long career. Long after most teams had given up on him he became one of the best power hitters baseball has seen.
He brings a consistent power threat to the lineup and more protection to stack behind Freddie Freeman. Jose has hit a career 331 homers and will benefit from hitter-friendly SunTrust park.
The one concern about this move is the fact Jose is a veteran who will be moving to the hot corner. He has played third at a high level in his career, but it has been nearly a decade since Bautista was considered a good infielder.
Moving him to the outfield won’t be an option with the Braves locked in on their current starters. Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis, and Ronald Acuna Jr. are the current starters all better than Bautista at this point in their careers.
Bautista will bring an edge to a young team as well a toughness we’ve seen from the veteran. Whether it was his fistfight with the Rangers sliding into 2nd, or being in the middle of any brawl Bautista brings a tough presence.
An edge the Braves could use to help protect their young star players. This young star-studded team just got even better, adding slugger Jose Bautista.