The Braves have agreed to terms with corner infielder Mat Gamel on a minor league deal, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Gamel, 26, didn't play in 2013 after tearing his ACL for a second conseutive season. Formerly rated as one of the game's top prospects (Baseball America had him No. 34 in all of baseball prior to the 2009 season), Gamel has posted a .229/.305/.367 batting line in 269 Major League plate appearances.
He's absolutely feasted on Triple-A pitching in a larger sample, slashing .301/.374/.512 with 53 home runs in 1247 plate appearances. Gamel looked to be in line to replace the injured Corey Hart at Milwaukee's everyday first baseman in 2013 before his second ACL tear. The Jet Sports client has yet to receive an everyday opportunity at the Major League level, though he batted a solid .242/.338/.422 in 148 Major League plate appearances as a 23-year-old in 2009.
Was hoping my Dodgers would have done this.
Why? Just curious as a fellow fan.
Because of the hole at 3B. The guy is still only 26 and if he was willing to take a minor league contract thought it would be a good move.
He will have a chance to break camp with the Braves.
Or just break something at camp with the Braves.
You going to trust a guy who hasn’t played in nearly 2 full seasons, has questionable health and defense, and who is out of minor league options to be warming your bench? He needs a couple hundred minor league at bats minimum.
What for? There is no more development for him at the minor league level, and if it’s just about getting AB’s, that is what spring training is for. If he spends time in the minors for the Braves, it’s because he didn’t make the team out of ST.
More to get used to live pitching again. We know he HAS hit minor league pitching in the past, but what sort of guy is he now?
Great move. Hope the poor guy can get on the field this year.
I show him at 28 years old, but regardless, this could be the LH bench bat the Braves were looking for.
Well if he doesn’t break camp he can always hang out in Gwinnett until the need arises.
Once he gets added to the major league roster, he can’t be sent down without being exposed to waivers. I’m sure the Braves will want to see some AAA results first.
Why would he get added to the roster before earning a job? He won’t have to pass through waivers unless they add him to the 25 man, which they wouldn’t do unless he makes the team.
I know he’s terrible at 3B defensively, and knee surgery probably doesn’t help. But is he Chris Johnson bad, or something worse than that? Because he might have as much talent with the bat as Chris Johnson…
This looks like a solid move from The Frank Wren Reconstruction Project of 2014.
I still have no idea why the Cubs picked him up on waivers in October. What was the point, if they were just going to turn around and designate him two months later?
I love that when the Cubs picked him up it was a low upside gamble but when the Braves pick him up it is a great move. Lol
The Cubs put him on their 40 man roster. He has no options remaining and needs to play. The Braves signed him to a minor league deal and that’s where he will play.
This is a Gamel worth taking for the Braves.
Hes gonna come to Atlanta and become a star pinch hitter