Atlanta Braves: Time to End the Jose Bautista Experiment
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves are coming off of a 2-0 loss to the Miami Marlins. In the loss, it became even more obvious that Jose Bautista doesn’t have anything left in the tank. It is time to move on from the veteran.
When the Atlanta Braves made the decision to add Jose Bautista I believed it to be a good one. It was a no risk high reward move for a team who needed help at third base. Several weeks in and it is very obvious it isn’t working out.
Jose Bautista’s time with the Braves is best summed up in one at-bat last night. He came up with only one out and the bases loaded. Facing an underwhelming Marlin’s pitching staff he couldn’t put the ball in play.
He struck out for the 12th time this season to bring his average to .143. When he does manage to hit the ball it is resulting in weak and unimpressive contact.
It is time to end the idea of playing Jose at third base and move on. While it is always painful to cut an aging player, it is a business. Business is about being productive and winning. Two things Bautista is no longer capable of being.
The veteran is not building any trade value and will likely have to be cut. Cutting him will cost the Braves this year’s salary but it is worth a hit and will be off the books by next season.
Austin Riley is well on his way tearing up Triple-A pitching. Riley is the future for the Braves at the hot corner.
Until then Ryan Flaherty is more than capable of playing third base for the team. He did a great job early on and will look to regain that momentum. No matter who the Braves decide on it shouldn’t be Jose Bautista.
It is time to make the tough decision to pull the plug on the experiment and send Bautista packing.