The Braves have acquired catcher Rene Rivera from the Angels, per an announcement from the Los Angeles organization (h/t Jon Morosi of MLB.com, via Twitter). The Halos allowed Rivera to depart via a straight waiver claim.
With the move, the Atlanta organization will take over Rivera’s contract. Just under $500K remains on his $2.8MM salary for the year. The veteran receiver will be a free agent at season’s end.
Rivera, 35, is best known for his excellent work behind the dish. He has typically graded as an excellent framer, though he has been more in range of average over the past two seasons. Rivera has also traditionally been quite effective at limiting the running game.
While he missed a big chunk of time this year due to injury, limiting him to 30 games of action on the season, Rivera has also been reasonably productive with the bat. He carries a .244/.287/.439 slash with four home runs over 87 plate appearances, though he has drawn only four walks to go with 32 strikeouts.
In Kurt Suzuki and the just-extended Tyler Flowers, the Braves already have two catchers who have combined to form a strong overall duo. The organization did just drop veteran depth receiver Chris Stewart from its 40-man roster, so perhaps it sees this as an opportunity to ensure there’s a reliable player in place in the event of injury. He’ll also help spread the burden down the stretch for a club that now has the inside track to winning the NL East.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Ok
Pure depth move. Only starting if Suzuki and Tyler both get hurt.
Since some were talking the minute possibility of bringing up Alex Jackson or William Contreras (gasp!) for depth — glad to see another option presented itself. This looks like a poor man’s Tyler Flowers.
In September these teams all add a 3rd catcher. A veteran like Rivera is ideal. He was great for the Cubs last year in this role.
It’s also to start a game or two and play in lopsided affairs. Extra inning ha wS as well. If you can clinch with a game or two left, he’ll most definitely start those.
I believe he will get some spot starts to get comfortable with the pitchers.
That plus the fact Kurt has been terrible lately behind the dish. His framing is lazy as heck if you watch, and I think it’s just because he is worn out. He really needs some rest given how many games he played early in the year with Flowers out, and how many games (17 in 15 days) that the Braves just played in the heat of August.
I have no fear with RR started a few games, if nothing else to try to get Kurt some extra days off for the final couple of weeks and into the playoffs.
Perfect, bring up Joce Briceno
He’s not starting unless both get hurt. He does allow them to use either Flow or Zuk as a pinch hitter down the stretch
Exactly right.
Excellent move for catcher depth. Definitely allows Zuke or T-flow to hit off the bench if necessary.
another move by Eppler to clear playing time for younger players who are auditioning for roles in 2019.
And have not yet had TJS
Unnecessary comment
Lol
Comment of the year! Well done Long Duc Dong lol
No it’s not
Yes it is
Comment of the year.
Aaautomobile?
Rivera used to be a great pitcher framer, but in the last two seasons, he’s forgotten how to do it?
Most subjective stat there is
It’s the unicorn of baseball stats. Nobody seems to have even working a theory about how pitch framing works, let alone, a description of the kind of skills that are required to frame a pitch. It just exists, because it must exist.
Yeah that’s what the article just said word for word. Don’t mind me its 3:30 am and I am drunk on Woodford. I used to date a René. I wonder if he’s related? I’m going to bed.
Great move for the stretch run. Needed a 3rd catcher and Stewart is awful.
#CubsLegend
They got him for “el liderazgo”.
THAT’S “LEADERSHIP” IN SPANISH!
I just looked it up on the internet, and now they have Rivera so they don’t need to do that.
No minor league player no international money what is this giving away the players free
To give Arcia and Briceno some playing time. Also saves a little cash
A precursor to the Mike Trout offseason trade no doubt. ;)
What one stupid move have to do with another….. I don’t get it
Would have preferred him over Higgy while Sanchez is out. Then they can carry 3 catchers if needed.
Nothing on Duda yet?
Good move.. The Cubs picked him up late in 2016 and he was a dependable backup backstop.