The Braves have agreed to a minor league deal with catcher Ryan Lavarnway, Kevin McAlpin of the Braves Radio Network tweets. Lavarnway had elected free agency after being outrighted by the Orioles.
Lavarnway, 27, will join options such as the veteran Wil Nieves at Gwinnett. He could become an option at the major league level if young backstop Christian Bethancourt continues to struggle with Atlanta. Bethancourt has already lost playing time to A.J. Pierzynski, and the team may prefer to give him more regular playing time to re-discover his stroke.
Of course, Lavarnway himself is a former prospect who has yet to reach the lofty ceiling he once seemed to offer. At least on paper, Lavarnway has moved around quite a bit since the end of his tenure with the Red Sox last November, but he’s only appeared in action for the Orioles. In a sporadic 32 big league plate appearances this year, he slashed a meager .107/.219/.143.
BAM! Just stamped that postseason card baby!
Just need to get that Delorean up to 88 MPH…
Should have kept Gattis until Bethancourt was ready.
LOL you kidding? Braves looking golden on that Gattis trade. Folty already pitching like a #2, and that’s not even counting the other 2 prospects.
Keep Gattis for what? To barely crack the Mendoza line and we’re approaching June. Not to mention his questionable defense in both outfield and catching. Hart so far has made out like a bandit with that trade as jury rigger has alluded too
He can’t hit, he can’t catch and he apparently has a very high opinion of himself. Enjoy!
Why do the Braves hate Bethancourt so much?
As far as Gattis goes. I liked the trade. We got a stud pitcher. But Gattis is coming around now. Batting 230. 12 HR. 33 RBIs. This would lead our team now. Gatty was a good catcher. He was an is injury prone. Miss him an his massive homers but like how this turned out.
Probably should have read “Lavarnway had elected free agency because let’s face it he was going to end up with yet another team anyway, so why delay the inevitable?”
You know I like John Hart’s style.
I wish Lavarnway well.
Showalter just was not going to give him the time of day.