The Braves have agreed to a minor-league pact with infielder Andres Blanco, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred (Twitter link). He stands to earn at a $850K rate in the majors, if he can earn a roster spot.
Blanco will get a chance to impress the Atlanta brass with a big league camp invite. It’s certainly interesting that the organization has now added both Blanco and Pedro Florimon, each of whom fits the same general profile (switch-hitting, light-hitting utilitymen) and surely had other opportunities around the game.
Whether the Braves are considering keeping a player of this kind isn’t clear. At present, the club already has two presumptive reserve infielders on hand in Johan Camargo and Charlie Culberson, but it’s theoretically possible one of the two could be dealt. Of course, it could also simply be that the Braves are hoping to build out their minor-league infield depth.
Blanco, 34, had a few quality seasons with the Phillies but faltered in 2017. The ten-year MLB veteran failed to crack the big leagues last year, but did turn in a strong .271/.362/.435 slash over 357 plate appearances at Triple-A.
These moves will result in a bigger move, probably a pitcher…
Yes and no. True we have to very Soild Utility players right now in Camargo and Culberson. I hope both stays that way we can make sure Donaldson, Dansby and Albies stays healthy and well rested.
We need to be focusing on a LF and a Veteran SP. (ace or a #2.) we don’t need to take on a project pitcher try to bounce back. We have the prospects to make this happen it not really hurt the farm. As long as we don’t have a Frank Wren mommy and over pay
Yuck. Would’ve rather had someone like Cory Spangenberg. He plays everywhere, and is a decent hitter with some speed.
Dude it is a minor league signing. It is very possible that Blanco will even be released before spring training ends. There is no need to sweat these type of deals.
Spangenberg probably signs a major league deal somewhere too.
Blanco has had the better bat over the last 4 years.
There is zero chance Andy White makes the team out of spring.
Did you say the same thing about Culberson last year?
Proven talent wise, Culberson was and still is on a different lvl than these guys. Not so much as CC is that good, more so they are that bad
One good year proves talent? Because Blanco had several before last year. Or does one BAD year also prove lack of talent no matter how many good ones you had before?
Seriously, take a look at these two guys. Culberson was awful in his previous seasons.
Filling out the spring training roster. Roster guys need extra rest, don’t ya know.
I gotta filling Camargo will end up being a part of a package deal for a SP…. though I really like Dansby. I still think Camargo is a step ahead of him. I think Camargo, Albies, And Acuna all seem to play well together and all are very young reminds me of a McCann, Frenchy and Kelly Johnson.
Dansby does the little things, things that may not make the box score but things that help you win a ballgame. The last time we got rid of a defensive ss, was a humongous mistake, and if we do it again it will be another. Please leave Dansby alone and I would like to see his batting average go up and I think it will but even if it doesn’t he would still play ss for me.
100% agree. When he went down the team suffered .. noticeably to me ..
No offense to you, or the former baby braves you mentioned but I seriously expect Camargo, Albies and Acuna to exceed what Frenchy, KJ and McCann have accomplished in their distinguished careers.
I hope they do but look at all the promise Francouer had all his Hype. His age 22 season pretty damn good for a 22 y/o. And look at McCann. Probably go down as one of the best Catchers for Atlanta.
I doubt Camargo gets moved unless someone really wants him. He is extremely valuable because you can rest players like Albies, Swanson, Freemen and Donaldson and do it with a quality bat and glove. Camargo gives the Braves very much needed needed depth in their line up. He might even be able to spell right field. He has athelticism and a canon of an arm.
These pieces the Braves have added lately is simply for greater depth and competition. I loved what Culberson did for the Braves but when you look beyond what he did in 2018, we shouldn’t expect him to repeat that.
Good pick up. Andy White.
Well the Phillies might as well forget Machado and Harper.
The Braves got Andres Blanco!
Groucho Marx you aren’t
B I G D E A L
Anthopolous finally getting his $23,000,000 man. Err I mean the guy that will replace the $23,000,000 man on the 4th day of the season when he gets hurt and is out until late August.
read article…price and ywara differ…by alot…
The Braves were my pick to sign Marwin Gonzalez but these two make me believe that is not possible. Too bad, a super utility would have really helped the Braves stay fresh.
Johan Camargo?
That is exactly AA’s intention with the signing of Donaldson. Camargo can play all infield positions except catcher and their going to try him in the outfield as well. And Camargo is even better with the bat than MarGo.
Camargo is a lot better than I thought. I just peaked his stats. To be honest, I watched a few Braves games last year and his name didn’t stick so I just figured he was a Don Kelly type utility guy who has enough pulse to hold down multiple positions but just barely.
That’s why I don’t get the Donaldson signing. Why not let Camargo play 3B every day; hope at a young age his best is still yet to come, and instead spend some of that Donaldson cheese on a shut down closer or an impact bat for RF?
Why? A guy going into his age 35 season that didn’t sniff the majors in 2018 and he could not hack his way out of a wet paper bag with a machete.
Competition for Culberson’s bench roll? Come on, look further back than one season ago. When you look at Culberson’s season, he has never had a year better than 2018. Shouldn’t that make you a little skeptical? Blanco never had a year WORSE than 2018. Shouldn’t that be worth a look?
I’m not saying this guy should light your hair on fire but this is a depth move and a further option.
Your comment right there is why I have been saying the time is now to trade Culberson. His stock – much like a RF out in Seattle – is as high as it’s going to get. We should be flipping him for asset(s) that will help us get the RF. I’d rather have Camargo if there is a choice to make. San Diego – Seattle – Atlanta match up nice in a 3-way .. Culberson and a few prospects could be part of it.
I love the idea of keeping Camargo as the primary utility infielder…but I just can’t help but think the Florimon & Blanco signings are preemptive moves before another strike.
I get the feeling Camargo might end up being dealt as part of a package for a legit ace, or for a closer.
Maybe not, these could just be depth moves…but I can’t help but feel like something might be on the horizon with the Winter Meetings about to begin.
With the signing of Blanco & Florimon is it a precursor to a Camargo or Culberson trade ?????
Would a Culberson, Fried & Vizzy for Frazier & Gray deal work ?????
The perfect fit for the Yankees would be Camargo but I don’t see the return the Braves would need to come back in order to make that happen.
Just because someone is on the market, doesn’t mean u have to find a reason to sign him
Okay now Atlanta, let’s go sign Michael Brantley, David Robertson, and Brandon Boxberger
Trade Johan Camargo,Kyle Wright & Mad Max Fried to the Yanks and get back Sonny Gray & Clint Frazier
Are you trolling? Brantley is not the type of player you want if you want to contend. The dude’s nickname in Cleveland is Mr Glass.
I actually think Brantley would be a good signing for the Braves. Dr. Smooth, is a great contact hitter who would do very well in that lineup. His defense has been declining in left and his arm is not great, but he makes up for it on the offensive side. With that said, I would make sure it is a 3 year deal. That is about all he has left in the tank.
Trade Wright and Carmago for those two guys? No way.
To many Braves fans treating Camargo like he’s a spare part. He can allow 4 or 5 position players to rest and do it with a quality bat and glove. That means when you give Freemen the day off you won’t be replacing his .300/400/475 slash line with .200/280/350. The same goes for all the other positions he will give rest to so players like Freemen, Albies, Donaldson and more don’t get exhausted from the 162 game marathon that baseball is.
Camargo is not just a spare part. He adds an incredible amount of depth that this team really needs. If the right trade comes along and they fall in love with Camargo, okay I get it. But definitely not for Sonny Gray. Take a moment and look at his production. Which spot in the pitching rotation does he improve?
I wouldn’t trade Fried alone for Grey and Frazier. Frazier has don’t nothing at the MLB level – nothing – and Gray is damaged goods. Why toss all of that? Fried late i n the year was money. He needs to stay – or be part of the Miami Catcher or Seattle RF deal. ……………………… and, as well, Boxberger was the pitcher on the mound when the Braves literally put the nail in the D’backs coffin – literally and figuratively with demoralizing back to back homers … followed by Dansby’s amazing defensive save … think they put in a rookie relief help to mop up. Boxberger looked like he was about to cry … hard pass. Yes on Robertson. Brantley if the $$ are right due to injury risk.
What about Camargo, Wright, Teheran, Demeritte, and Allard for Giancarlo and Gray.
If the Yankees were to only watch Camargo’s highlight reel from last year they would be more on board with this. Idk why the Yankees don’t want a switch hitter with power that can be plugged into 3rd 2nd and shortstop that is controllable for years to come. This frees up not only the money but opens The spot they need in their logjam of and outfield for them to sign Harper. The Yankees get rid of the Gray contract and get 3 other pitchers and a power outfielder that maybe you can mold.
Braves get the power outfielder that AA needs who is controlled for a while. Terry did say the braves have enough money to make another splash.
Let’s be honest Yankee fans, would you rather have Harper or Stanton. I see most fans leaning towards Harper.
If the Yankees were to sign Harper we could take Stanton off your hands. Don’t want the 2 biggest contracts battling for playing time against each other. Plus how much is Judge gonna cost here soon. Judge will be a 500 million contract as well when he comes up for a new deal. Hope cashman is looking towards the future.
“Idk why the Yankees don’t want a switch hitter with power that can be plugged into 3rd 2nd and shortstop that is controllable for years to come.”
Idk why the Braves would offer such a player that possess such unstoppable offense and impenetrable defense at a variety of positions AND be controllable for numerous years.
Id try Camargo for Trout straight up if I were AA.
On a more realistic note, AA would never attempt to trade for Stanton and his contract. Stanton is in the perfect league for his skillset. Specifically when his contract gets to the mid 30’s range.
How much money NYY sending here – because based on that proposal there absolutely needs to be coin coming south. Stanton’s contract is ridiculous and Gray is a buy-low. Camargo needs to be out of that proposal IMO … and there still needs to be coin coming south.
No way Stanton waves no trade
No way Braves take that contract & give up that many prospects
Just no way Stanton goes to the Braves period.
And Camargo is off the table unless you are talking bout something major coming back which the Yankees don’t have that fit the Braves needs.
Culberson, Fried & Vizzy for Gray & Frazier best proposal I see working out.
Imagine what Madison Bumgarner could do for the Atlanta Braves. A young team like Atlanta, could use a 3 time WS champion that is still only 29 and a stud.
Mark my words, teams will be competing hard for a Bumgarner trade come the trade deadline.
I agree I am stuck on the fence with what I hope Atlanta does. If they make a trade for a starter now or if they ride with what they have until somebody becomes available in season. Only thing is Sanchez was very productive last year. Somebody has to reproduce those numbers.
Feel the bullpen is the most important additions with RF a close 2nd. Hopefully this new pitching coach can get these young guys to throw strikes. The BB killed them last year.
I don’t even offer Fried. People are giving both Gray and Frazier too much credit. Gray could be done for all we know. This is a buy low on both NYY assets. Proposal needs to reflect that.
These two minor league signings may be a hint of a future trade.
I see us keeping CC and he has earned himself a nice payday in his first year of arbitration. AA came from the Dodgers and so did Charlie, who came thru big for the Dodgers in the 16’ playoffs. That playoff experience with AA keeps him a Brave.
With 1) The signing of Donaldson
2) Austin Riley
3) Possibility of FA N Arenado in 20
Johan Camargo is an Atlanta luxury item
A switch hitter who can play multiple positions well defensively, a cannon for an arm, who hit .270 w/ 25 2B & 19 HR in his first year and has 5 years of control left. What a luxury !!
If the Mariners can trade Kyle Seager.
I could see a Camargo/Allard trade for
All Star OF Mitch Haniger.
It would a Yelich type trade to acquire Haniger
Take*
From everything I have read the Brewers fleeced Miami for Yelich so I am ok with that
3 Top 100 Prospects and the 4th is a high floor SP prospect for Yelich, whom later won MVP, was definitely a fleece.
But thats what itll take for Braves to pry Haniger.