The Braves announced that they have re-signed utilityman Charlie Culberson. It’s a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation for Spring Training. Culberson can earn at a $1MM rate in the majors, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter).
Culberson, 30, played a big role for the Atlanta organization in its two consecutive NL East title years, though his 2019 season was limited by injury. He was non-tendered at the outset of the offseason. Culberson had projected to earn a $1.8MM salary.
The Braves enjoyed big output from Culberson in 2018, when he emerged as a fan favorite even as statistics-based skepticism abounded. In 2019, Culberson actually managed to repeat his hefty batting average on balls in play and maintain much of the power growth he showed in the prior campaign. But his plate discipline issues caught up to him, as his 30.6% strikeout and 4.2% walk rates resulted in a .294 OBP through 144 plate appearances.
Culberson will face an uphill path to making the big club out of camp, but he’s a trusted hand for the organization and represents desirable depth. The arrangement works for the local product as well; as David O’Brien of The Athletic points out, Culberson lives in the Atlanta area and no doubt likes the idea of playing his home games in Gwinnett in the event he isn’t doing so in Cobb County.
Gods be praised!
Eorlund Gray-Mane is that you?
Careful, you will attract the battleborn
I used to be a GM like you, but then I signed B.J. Upton to a 5 year, 75 million dollar contract.
I used to be a GM like you, then I signed B.J. Upton to a 5 year, 75 million dollar contract.
Double post, sorry. Had to make sure I got my Skyrim reference in on this site
It’s not Donaldson or Bumgarner, but this will make Braves fans happy, since Culberson was a fan favorite.
Shocker, said nobody ever. Donaldson will be next, the glue is strong and real in that clubhouse..
Donaldson will not be a Brave unless he takes a cheap team friendly deal. He has other better paying options for contending teams. What evidence do you base your claim on. It is without logic. Just a feel good story. The Braves are not gonna offer a lengthy contract to a 34 year old.
First, I want to say I like what Donaldson brings to the table in terms of leadership. However, you cannot realistically expect him to produce 80% of what he did last year. The chance of him remaining healthy like he did last year much less over 3 years is ludicrous. Look at Chipper, he was constantly nagged with injuries his last 3-4 years.
Pacman, Donaldson has said he prefers to stay in Atlanta so I’m betting he’ll take a little less than his best offer to stay with the Braves.
Where is your evidence or proof that he indeed has other better paying options from other clubs thus far? He’s blatantly said he wants to come back to the Braves and I truly believe they will make it happen and if not, I’ll be wrong. Won’t be the first time and damn well won’t be the last, no sweat off my back.
I just trust my intuition, the fact he loves playing in ATL, and that he’s in the perfect window for them right now.
And yes, I do realistically see him producing like he did last year wherever he does end up.
Chipper was a different player plagued with plantar fasciitis and pretty much made his own schedule towards the last 5-7 years of his career. He was a 4 day work week kind of guy during that span and wasn’t afraid to ask Bobby for a day off in the least amount of way for quite a few years towards the end. Hes my favorite player of all time, the number I wore out of my mancrush for as long as I can remember, but Father time took over and he most likely made his career last another year or 2 listening to his body.
Injuries are impossible to predict but donaldson does have the love and passion for this organization already, which does hold some water for being ready every day and playing through some nagging aches and pains.
McCann was a feel good story as you say, donaldson back in ATL is listening to what he’s saying he wants, team needs, and just pure optimism.
Where is your evidence, Pacman?
*crickets*
The disrespect
believe it or not I agree! lol….a minor league deal with a spring training invite is a slap in the face. And why are so many on here butt hurt about Braves fans over valuing Culberson cuz he’s a fan favorite?! It’s ok to have fan favorites type players around last time I checked
youd have though Atlanta was going to burn when they non-tendered him.
Seriously. All for a mediocre hitter who struggled in the final months he played.
Dude got hit in the face. He’s a fan favorite. And plays well for what he’s asked to do. Charlie Hustle back in the ATL!
Culby has had some clutch moments for the Braves. I was ticked off when they looked to be letting him go. This, however, makes me happy. Some guys bring more to a team than what shows up on the stat sheets.
Completely agree.
Truth
Go watch the game against the marlins on July 7th. Charlie’s catch and throw won the game that night. Dude is the most clutch guy on the roster. He might go 0-10 in situations that don’t really matter but you’re still giving him a bat with the game on the line.
He hit .208 in the second half, 2 hrs, 6rbi. SIX. He almost doubled his K’s in the 2nd half as well.
He hit .163 in August.
He’s lucky to get a minor league deal.
I watched it live. It was a great contribution to the game. That doesn’t change the fact that he was a mediocre player in the season, especially the second half.
But, it’s a feel-good story so Braves fans enjoy it.
The way he hit back in hs you could tell he was talented enough for the mlb
that’s why he got a minor league deal
Glad to have him back on an appropriate contract. Hopefully he can stick around. Would love to grab Joyce on a solid team friendly contract also
Markakis is our new Joyce
Or just the old Markakis
Joyce has more pop than NM. Lol
So they non tendered him then make him sweat for two weeks then a minor league deal.. I mean fans want him back but why did AA only give him a minor league deal?!
Because he isn’t on the 40 man roster and they don’t have to waste a 40 man spot on him right now. Plus if he doesn’t make the opening day roster we can send him to AAA without DFA him. Plus he wouldn’t have gotten a major league contract anyways
Also he really isn’t worth a major league contract I’m happy to have him back and I really like him a lot, but there is no need to waste money on a bench guy who will probably only get 150-200 PA this year anyways. Great clubhouse guy and a fan favorite so it’s a win win
The amount of conversation that goes on behind the scenes with these guys and their respected organizations that they’ve been a part of and respected in shouldn’t surprise anybody.
Its not like they just say, “ok bye” and call them back in two weeks to say “hi again” lol. They know how the process is going to work out well before anybody outside the club. Welcome back culby!
I think this is going to be a precursor to a trade with Camargo involved after Donaldson resigns
Could see Camargo as part of a package for Marte
Or maybe Donaldson doesn’t resign & Camargo is in a deal for Bryant
Ohhhh the possibilities
Donaldson will not be resigned. The Braves will trade for Bryant or Marte. Signing Donaldson at any price near what they paid last year will shatter previous opening day payrolls. Just don’t see that happening. Would not be surprised to see Folty, Fried, and Waters (Or similar package) sent to Cubs for Bryant. The Braves could get similar production at fraction of cost of Donaldson. Trading Folty would also allow the Braves to absorb a portion of Bryant’s contract this year while also lowering the Cubs payroll. Additionally, losing Melancon after this year could cover arbitration cost of Bryant next year. Braves could then put Newcomb back in rotation and have a spot for Wright/Anderson. Braves would still be a little light in rotation but could address that With an innings eater. A top of rotation piece likely won’t happen to start the season
Worst. Plan. Ever.
I mean Bryant is going to cost money to pay, and then you’ve got to pay for more SP, whichs adds up anyway. Plus trade Waters? It’s better to just sign Donaldson. Swapping so many pieces feels like taking a road trip from NC to FL, by passing through Texas.
More like Riley and Wright for Bryant and Quintana.
SO you would give a top prospect and half your opening starting day rotation and still pay Bryant 22 to 25 million for 2 years instead of signing JD at the same rate and keeping the prospects and half your starters
Hell. I would not give Fried straight up for 2 years of Bryant.
That’s the thing I don’t understand about the anti-fourth-year crowd on Donaldson. I mean I think Donaldson will be effective throughout. Worst case though, he drops off a bit. Is it really worth giving up umpteen years of control over talented, cost-controlled prospects, and eventually having to fill those holes, to not risk having one potentially slightly overpaid player on the roster? If you keep Wright, Waters, or whomever else, you’re saving so much money, anyway.
its called payroll budgeting. Soon we forget how many of you were bashing Folty and his inability to control his emotions. Do not be fooled, moving Fried right now would be at the opportune time. His stock is high. He is not elite talent. Made that mistake with Teheran and Newcombe already. His peripherals shows he cannot consistently throw strikes. Don’t fool yourself. I’m not saying that would be the exact package, but y’all all act like Waters is the next Acuna. Not close……it is called a window and you have to give to get. If you are gonna wait for all the prospects to pan out we will never win a World Series. By the time Pache and Waters “pan out”, Freeman’s and Donaldson’s better days will be behind them, and The likes of Soroka, Swanson, and Riley would be eating you up in arbitration. The window starts now and the credit line is extended, got to move other resources.
HORRIBLE trade idea. How would that benefit Atlanta??
Current 3B for Atlanta-Johan Camargo
Enough said!!!
Or three team trade
Braves get Marte and Bryant
Pirates get Almora Jr, Pache, Contreras, Weigel, Muller, Jensen
Cubs get Wright, Inciarte, Byrse Wilson, Kyle Crick, and another mlb ready pen arm from the pirates
As a Braves fan, I say nooooo….
Lol
The idiots are out tonight in full force.
Pache, Contresas ,Wigel ,Muller, Wright, Wilson and Ender
for
2 years of Bryant and 1 year of Marte
Who thinks of this stuff and has the guts to post such an idiotic idea. 5 top pitchers prospects and a catcher along with one of the top OF prospects in all of baseball….geez moron.
42 years of player control for 3 years…..sure makes sense to me.
I believe that there is currently a full moon, that may possibly explain some of these delusions people are having.
Its also the last full moon of the decade.
This was inevitable lol. Love it
HOORAY!!!
I guess since everybody confuses the two it makes since they referenced Swanson as “as David O’Brien of The Athletic points out, Swanson lives in the Atlanta area and no doubt likes the idea of playing his home games in Gwinnett in the event he isn’t doing so in Cobb County.”
Charlie deserves better. I mean the Sox are paying peraza Like 3 or 4 mil and he is worse then Culberson. May not be a popular opinion but it is mine
How strange is it that this is my favorite Braves signing so far? I know “glue guy” and “locker room guy” is an overused term but he brings that AND a clutch prowess. Dude has Ice in his veins.
I’ll say this, unless they maybe make, or win a World Series next season, I don’t know that emotionally there will be a bigger moment for this team next season than when Culby sees the field.
Guaranteed standing O, especially since he had to miss the postseason.
He won’t finish the season with Atlanta if he even makes the team out of spring training. Not hating on Charlie, but you generally have limited bench players and strikes out too much. The Braves may have more quality in the pen this year and can carry the extra bat. If not, I don’t see him sticking around. This is merely a PR stunt after non-tendering him to save money.
However, I hope he gets a real chance.
1) 1 million dollars for a PR stunt is interesting considering their payroll is already reaching an all time high
2) “limited bench players” is also interesting considering the rosters are now carrying 26 instead of 25 starting this season
Don’t know WHO you have been watching, definitely not the Charlie Culberson I’ve been watching. Teams will have a 26 man roster next year and that 26th. player, has to be a bench/position player.
Pinch hitting is a tough job, and Charlie is pretty good at it.
“The arrangement works for the local product as well; as David O’Brien of The Athletic points out, Swanson lives in the Atlanta area.”
So Culberson and Swanson must be dating.
Welcome back Charlie Clutch. We missed you. Signed, Every Braves Fan.
Send Ender Inciarte, Kyle Wright, and Touki Toussaint to Chicago for Kris Bryant and Jose Quintana. Then make the trade with Mariners of Haniger for choice of any Braves prospect of their choice from mlb pipeline list.
and exactly how does this benefit those teams……you act as if getting these players is like shopping the cereal aisle at your local grocery store and picking what you want. The lack of intelligence on this site…..
Hells yeah
This will make a lot of Braves fans happy. He is a pretty good bench bat to have. I don’t expect him to repeat his 2018 numbers. I hope he can keep putting up his 2019 numbers but if the real Culberson is the 2016 version or less it will be time to move on.
Players can get their $300 million contracts. I’ve always liked this guy’s heart for the game
Braves get Bryant and schwarber
Cubs get camargo inciarte wright Wilson and waters
Why do that when they can just trade Inciarte for Trout?
No.
He won’t make the team.
I wonder if the backlash of the fans being ticked off at them cutting him led to this. Granted it’s a minor league deal but he will make the roster. Welcome back Charlie Clutch
I wonder why there was any backlash at all. Dude was awful last season and used his face to bunt.
Because everytime he gets a hit or makesna great play it wins the game for us. I would rather have a .100 hitter that turns all of his hits into walk-offs over a .300 hitter that only gets hits in games we lose. I know it sounds ridiculous but it actually seems that way with Charlie. And he didn’t before he ever played with the Braves, too. As a backup player with limited at bats, Culberson already had 4 ninth inning walk off homers before he ever put on a Braves uniform. It seems like a career pattern. I don’t know how long he can keep this up but I will take a player like that on a minor league deal that maxes out at a million dollars every time.
Charlie deserves MLB contracts the rest of his breathing life.
haha exactly
Any thoughts on signing Nick Castellanos or maybe trading for Jake Lamb. I know who they aren’t but if JD gets away… Castellanos put up good numbers once he got away from Detroit. Not the best on defense but I think he’d enjoy the Chop House many times during the year. Lamb might be had for a decent price. When he was healthy he had great numbers. He prefers righties so he and Riley could share time until AR can handle the away pitches.
Bumgarner is still available!
If Texas offered Rendon 32 million a year, they will offer Josh 28 to 32 million a year, for around 4 yrs. If they do, he won’t be in Atlanta next year. Then the Braves could try and sign Nicholas Castellanos. Atlanta is in good shape whatever if anything else happens. I would like to see another closer/reliever though. If they make a trade to Chicago for Bryant, get Kimbrel also. Maybe Ender, Newk or Folty and Touki, Greene,
Yes