The Braves have released third baseman Jose Bautista, Mark Bowman of MLB.com tweets. In a corresponding move, the club recalled right-hander Lucas Sims from Triple-A to fill its vacant roster spot.
The Bautista experiment was a short-lived one for Atlanta, which signed the former superstar to a minor league deal on April 18. The move reunited Bautista with Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who was the Blue Jays’ GM for some of the slugger’s highly successful tenure in Toronto. Bautista was primarily an outfielder during that period, but the Braves signed him to line up at third – a position he hadn’t played extensively since 2011.
To the 37-year-old Bautista’s credit, he worked his way to the Braves rather quickly, as they selected his contract on May 4. However, the six-time All-Star was unproductive in his two-plus weeks with the first-place club, hitting .143/.250/.343 with a 30 percent strikeout rate over a small sample of 40 plate appearances. And unsurprisingly, he also drew negative marks (minus-2 Defensive Runs Saved, minus-0.3 Ultimate Zone Rating) in his return to the hot corner, albeit over just 61 innings.
Although Bautista did display some of his signature power (two home runs, .200 ISO) as a Brave and post a respectable 12.5 percent walk rate, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll ever receive another big league opportunity. Not only has Bautista’s once-great offensive game fallen off a cliff since the end of the 2016 campaign, but he no longer seems capable of providing any value in the field or on the bases. Nevertheless, Bautista isn’t ready to retire, according to Anthopoulos, who added that the Braves would welcome him back at the Triple-A level if he’s interested in returning to Gwinnett (via David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
With Bautista out of the picture in Atlanta, the club will turn to Johan Camargo as its everyday third baseman, Anthopoulos revealed (per O’Brien). Along with the 24-year-old Camargo, who has logged above-average offensive results since debuting last season, the Braves have Ryan Flaherty, Charlie Culberson, Phil Gosselin and Rio Ruiz on hand as 40-man fallback options. The most talented third baseman in the organization may be 21-year-old prospect Austin Riley, who just ascended to Triple-A and could perhaps reach the majors at some point this season.
In the event Riley doesn’t debut this year and the Braves don’t receive quality production from their veteran third basemen in the coming months, they may opt for an upgrade via trade. The up-and-coming Braves look as if they’ll remain in contention through the July 31 trade deadline, even though it’s still a ways off, and there should be some significant talent available then. Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson (whom Anthopoulos previously acquired in Toronto), Adrian Beltre and Mike Moustakas are among those who could pique the Braves’ interest in the next couple months.
About time
Stick a fork in him!
what a shame
Crazy how the Mets won’t release Jose Reyes who has a .368 OPS this season.
No rush. Atlanta has a shot at the postseason. The Mets not so much.
Lol you high as hell
Have you watched either team recently? Mets offense sucks, pitching beyond syndy and degrom might as well be dead, and while the Braves may be over performing a bit, they have the potential to keep this up, not so much for the Mets.
Lay off the left handed lettuce buddy. You’re pitching staff with the Braves is over performing. They are due for some regression. Plus your closer will show his true colors soon, which is the shade of hot garbage.
You might have a case if Atlanta wasn’t doing as well offensively as they are. Between the two teams, Mets and Braves, Braves are in the playoffs before the Mets are.
The Braves have won 18 games vs NLE teams, Mets next closest at 11.
The only thing I really agree w/ you is the closer role, but that will change in June/July anyways, Minter will take over.
Let’s not jump to conclusions now. Both teams have a chance at the postseason until they are eliminated. By that point, we will see who stayed hot and who petered out.
And please enlighten the masses with exactly how hot garbage has a shade?? And why not cold garbage?? Does that have a shade associated with it??
I watch my Mets every game. They are not the team that started the year, but better than lately. Their offense will improve. Too many players not matching their norms. That will change soon. As for pitching, they just need one more starter to step up. Vargas is better than he has shown. Same for Nat
Tz. Lugo is a great option to start, if wheeler, matz or Vargas don’t step up. Braves playing way beyond their norm. Long season, it ain’t nearly over.
Yea….I mean, Jose Bautista also wasnt playing at his “norm”.
We said all of this in Atlanta in 2014. The same team was here, minus Brian McCann who was declining. When projections are wrong, they’re wrong.
The Washington Post even wrote the article Friday saying the Braves are legit. It might be time for some folks in flushing to take the orange hued shades off and make real assessments of what you have so you can act in the best interests of your club.
I give jose more time.
He bounced back last year and led team in SBS. He ain’t their problem. I’d sign Bautista, it can’t hurt.
The Braves has better options to replace him. The Mets may not have someone to replace Reyes
Japan beckons!
Retirement beckons
do the Mets beckon?
Yeah
do the Mets beckom?
The Shikoku Island League Plus awaits him!
Yawn. Obvious move.
Finally!!!
Austin Riley should be up within a month
UFC…?
WCW
Baahahaha!
As long as he doesn’t have to fight Odor, he could do well.
Ever since that fight, both players careers fell off a cliff.
Understandable with an aging Bautista. It was to be expected. But Odor should be getting better at this point in his career but doesn’t even look capable of being a bat boy.
He wears braces on his teeth, he can be a bat boy (most likely on a PED to secure his teeth from spreading out)
AARP
The burnout of a star is so sad
He should’ve retired as a jay
Still can, sign a 1 day contract and retire.
Yes.
The man can take a punch. And throw a bat. LOL.
Next stop Canuck Hall of Fame.
After they released him I bet he paused for way too long and emphatically flipped the office door open on his way out.
Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving fella. Good riddance.
A,37 year old who has been on the downside of his career is released? SHOCKING!
Wish the Giants would take note of what a team trying to win is supposed to do with old players who are terrible.
Amen to that!!
Giants avoid being in that situation since their broken down veterans are signed to contracts making it impossible to get rid of them.
Seems to coincide neatly with the Headley release. There are certainly worse options and he’d be free. Or close enough to it.
Insert bat flip here
“To the 37-year-old Bautista’s credit, he worked his way to the Braves rather quickly…”
He had 36 ABs at Gwinnett and batted a whopping .250 with one HR. He didn’t earn promotion to the Braves. It was a gift from Alex or just grasping at straws.
EXACTLY
Ok you guys jump on somebody who obviously has lost a step but give him some credit he didn’t try steroids at all. Yes he has an attitude but that same attitude wouldn’t let him cheat
thanks stubby
You really feel confident in saying that these days?
Probably would’ve said the same about Cano a week ago…
You want to give credit to someone for not cheating? Your bar is pretty low.
I really admire that Bautista has not been charged or convicted of a violent felony in the last 5 years.
I remember when he had that “solid slash line” in AAA. I also remember saying it wasn’t a solid line for a 37 year old ex-star in AAA. Can’t say I didn’t see this coming, although it was sooner than expected. Hopefully Riley gets a chance soon.
Bourjos in AAA has an OPS of 1.003 in 67 PA. What does that mean for him? Nothing.
It means that he actually did put up a really good slash line in AAA…
What does that mean for him at the MLB level? Absolutely nothing.
Anthopoulos had no problem bringing up Jose after 36 at bats, yet in 2012 Vladimir Guerrero Sr was hitting over .350 with about 60 at bats or so, and Anthopoulos didn’t want to bring him up. They must’ve thought highly of Ben Francisco.
Is this not the perfect spot to trade Josh Donaldson to?
I wouldn’t say perfect, but I can’t deny that it would be a very interesting trade.
That and the Braves jersey would look great on him.
So that Donaldson blocks Riley from the big leagues until 2019?
Donaldson or Machado. Braves would benefit most from a rental like that and no future obligation unless they choose to sign one of them beyond this year.
I’d rather the Braves get Moustakas. Younger than Donaldson and has a lower salary.
I’m beginning to think that while bringing up Riley would be exciting, having too many rookies could hurt when the going gets tough in August and September, not to mention the playoffs.
@JackofDiamonds. That’s a fair point, however an prospect is still a prospect until he can prove he can handle ML pitching to some degree (when given an fair amount of PA). Donaldson is more expensive due to his past performance, confidence/experience, asking price, and a favorable chance of performing above replacement level
With all that being said, I suppose the Braves will refrain from such a trade unless they feel that they are within striking distance of the postseason and/or if the Flaherty/Carmango/Culberson combo at 3B doesn’t perform to the team’s liking.
Riley will definitely get some time up in the bigs, how much time and how well be does along with the previous mentioned due will determine what the Braves will do.
But that’s just my take on things. How things go is anyone’s guess.
What the hell is wrong with Flaherty/Carmargo/Culberson at 3B? The Braves did it in 95 with Lemke and Belliard at 2B. It ain’t much different.
@chrisones I said IF their combined performance is found lacking by the FO, especially if this is the case later into this season AND their in a position to make the postseason. I personally don’t mind whatever route they take, as I am not necessarily a Braves fan.
The guy had some good years, and made alot of bucks. He tried to come back and be productive in a young mans game. At least now he has no regrets, he tried, so I give him kudos for the that.
Riley is the 3B unless he gets taken in the rapture
Rapture is a minimum of three and a half years away. Only your dog has that chip in him, not you yet.
Who says I’m not commenting from Heaven?
Fair enough. Thumbs up :)
Dancing with the stars are calling.
Moustakas makes a lot of sense for Atlanta since he’s only on a 1 year contract
Camargo may yet prove to be a viable option at 3B. He’s only 24. In his (small) sample so far this year he’s had a depressed BABip (.261) and has shown improved plate discipline. He has 13 walks and 14 K’s in 76 plate appearances. Last year he had 12 and 51 in 256 PA’s.
There’s no rush to bring up Riley, and I expect he’ll be held down at least until he’s not eligible for Super-Two and likely longer, if Camargo continues batting the way he has.
I can’t believe this was another one of those guys who was a player the Pirates gave up on too soon. No wonder it was 20 some years of losing baseball
The Pirates had him twice.
The Pirates gave Bautista a ton of chances and he did not produce. I blame the Bucs for letting a lot of guys go too early over the years, but not as much in the case of Bautista. However, I absolutely blame them for only getting Robinzon Diaz back for Jose from Toronto.
I am curious to see if the braves go after beltre, what the rangers would ask for, and whether he would accept a trade to have one last run at a WS.
Beltre has been a great player, but I’d be leery of an older player with a repeating hamstring problem.
It’s a shame he was a great player & prolific hitter. He should retire & enjoy life !!
Only two weeks?
GEEZ!
He was hurting the team. It looks like they will give him the option of going to the minors. Maybe as an OF?
he needs to be on a team that is rebuilding
Braves should be fine with multiple options at 3B especially if Carmargo settles in or if Riley is the real deal like Acuna.. What they need is experienced pitching. Would like to see them get 2 of Romo, Chavez (Texas), Herrera, or Britton to help in the pen and at least 1 of Gausman, Archer or Hamels.
Well this was the predictable outcome a month ago before he ever even signed the contract.
Still can’t figure out what the f they were ever thinking. His stats and trends the last couple seasons showed he couldn’t hit worth a s anymore, he was a horrible fielding 3B years ago and he’s an ah.
Thank Odor for knocking his game outta him.
Grape Coolaid for everyone.
Here’s a player that sabre metrics has regulated to a DH role.. Smart move Anthopoulos – wasted little money and gave him a chance to jump in a great lineup. Too bad he didn’t get hot.