The Braves have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran infielder Yangervis Solarte, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports (via Twitter). The versatile switch-hitter will be in Major League camp this spring and will earn a $1MM salary if he cracks the big league roster.
Solarte, 32, was a productive utility player for the Yankees and Padres from 2014-16 but has seen his production tail off in the past three seasons. That decline culminated with a brutal .205/.247/.315 showing with the Giants this past season. And while that effort came in a tiny sample of 28 games/78 plate appearances, the collective .238/.293/.391 slash that he’s posted over his past 1096 MLB plate appearances highlights the extent of his troubles. Solarte joined Japan’s Hanshin Tigers after being cut loose last year but endured similar struggles in a small sample of games overseas.
That said, there’s no risk in bringing Solarte to camp to see if he can rediscover some of the 2014-16 form that saw him post a combined .271/.332/.419 batting line (109 OPS+) despite playing the majority of his games in the pitcher-friendly Petco Park. The veteran has experience at all four infield slots — primarily second base and third base — and has even dabbled a bit in left field.
Cheap skate Braves !
I mean, they do have the highest payroll ever. Not really cheap.
No, that just proves how cheap they are
Braves have 9th highest revenue in baseball at $344 million but are set to open 2020 at $130 million in MLB payroll. By comparison the Padres are set to open 2020 at $146 million. Most teams spend about half of revenue on MLB payroll. Liberty is pretty cheap. They are in the bottom 4 in percentage of revenue spent on MLB payroll as of today.
You gotta really research Liberty Media’s position as owners.
They own the team in title only. The ownership set up is extremely unique and is actually run by Terry McGuirk. Liberty Media owns the team for tax break purposes only. They can only run the team on revenue from the team only. It’s a very interesting and complicated set up.
It is a bit more nuanced than that. There is a debt ratio they have to adhere too. In the last 3 years they have been spending to pay off debt for loans they had to build The Battery. And the Atlanta Braves are a separate entity from liberty media, They cannot take cash from it that easily. However the Braves have their own corporate structure. By the time revenues makes it through said corporate structure it takes a massive hit.
Thank you BMAC. People only see what they want to see. As you indirectly point out, revenue accounts for all income, but the team payroll is nowhere near the total expenditure. It’s easy for people to forget that.
I think the Braves have been very prudent in their spending the last couple of years. My only concern is the window of opportunity in this sport is small for middle market teams. They only have Freddie for two more years, so I certainly hope the Braves makle the moves to win now. Cole and Rendon were not happening, but JD was doable. Hopefully they will make a move to help at 3b.
Who really cares what the set-up is, I doubt very many fans do. Let it go, move on.
John C Malone basically owns the Braves. He has the highest net worth of any owner and if you take into the account the funds the company he owns has, it’s a travesty that they are pinching pennies on payroll when they aren’t even sniffing the luxury tax threshold.
lol…being the skinniest kid at fat camp doesn’t really mean a whole lot either…
you ever wonder if the Braves see a contract offer and undercut it by habit?!..just to realize they undercut their own original offer..I do lol
Meh. Yawn.
Oh good, the answer to the nightmare of not signing JD. Smh
Good bench piece honestly though…. would have been more excited to get him if this was a couple years ago.
So hes not really a good benche piece now, is he?!
I’m trying to be somewhat optimistic, as I’m very pessimistic after the Braves failing Braves nation by not getting JD and showing us they aren’t exactly anywhere near win now mode, and rather sit on all that cash we funnel them.
Nightmare?? El oh el
Could be a good pickup if he can bounce back
That could be said about SO many players…
Donaldson who ?? Lmao. Braves on pace to finish 4th in the east
Haters, haters everywhere.
Only need six. Better game. Lower cost to fans for more entertainment.
Whatever.
You’re definitely over exaggerating
You tell ‘em Braves! Who needs Donaldson anyway? WORLD SERIES BOUND!
Donaldson hit .158 in the playoffs. I’ll take my chances with Austin Riley this year and CERTAINLY 3 years from now.
And Riley hit .161 in the second half, so…
Which is a lot longer than the playoffs.
The entire Braves team, aside from maybe Dansby, hit about .150 in the playoffs. Are we just going to pile on Josh because the Braves were too cheap to outbid the Twins? It’s not as if the Yankees swept in with 30 million a year. Hats off to Minnesota for doing what Atlanta should’ve. They want to win. Good luck, Josh.
It wasn’t the money per day it was more the 5 years I think
TBOR hit .270/.402/.556/.958 in the 2nd half and carried the Braves to the playoffs. Riley hit .161/.211/.276/.486 and struck out 45% of the time in the 2nd half. Your name is fitting. .
Consolation prize for losing/not re-signing Donaldson
Two best moves by the Braves:
Get rid of Teheran and umbrella man.
Two terrible moves by the Braves:
Not getting an ace (or Bumgarner
(subject to change) Not getting Bryant or Arenado
Bumgarner is no ace take your crimson color glasses off
Hence why I said “or Bumgarner.” He is sure as heck better than the rest of the rotation other than Soroka.
MadBum isnt worth the cost. He is going to get destroyed in Arizona.
Ozuna was suspended for PED’s? I don’t remember that…
@NOBumgarnerEqualsNONLCS
Do everyone a favor and stop following the Braves…EveryOtherRealFanWouldLOVEThat
Seriously though you think EVERY player other then Freeman is overrated….halfway through the season you were still bashing Soroka until you realized you were wrong!
At least you finally stopped bashing Acunan for now!
Are you related to Bumgarner, or something? You bash Donaldson, who put up a great year; all the while banging the drum for an overpaid 3rd starter. I don’t get it.
Trade for Haniger.
Try out Riley at 3B in Spring Training, see if he can handle the bat.
If he can’t, move Freeman to 3B, Duvall plays 1B.
Freeman should never play 3rd again. He is a franchise 1st basemen. He had shoulder issues that affected his hitting playing 3rd. Play Camargo if Riley can’t handle it or find a replacement but never again shall Freeman play 3rd.
Haniger’s not going anywhere.
These comments should be rational……….
Well, here’s a rational post.
With this coming on the heels of Donaldson signing it likely signifies the Braves will stand pat with internal options at 3B
In other words, don’t expect Bryant or Arenado. They obviously waited on Solarte to see if the extra depth piece was necessary if they failed to sign Donaldson.
So if they were still in on Bryant or Arenado, as they were Donaldson, they likely would have held off longer pulling the Solarte trigger with a couple options left for them.
But they didn’t, they went ahead and nabbed Solarte. Basically conceding that they are done at 3B imo.
Thoughts?
Solarte on a minor league deal absolutely does not preclude a bigger move to upgrade third base.
Agreed coldbeer. Everyone is so damn sure of everything. I wish I was damn sure of tonight’s powerball numbers
Actually it really is a strong indicator there won’t be a bigger move for 3B. Maybe another position, but not third. You’re just in denial land.
It’s the timing of it that speaks volumes. Immediately after Donaldson signs? Highly likely Solarte wouldn’t have been signed if Donaldson had. Don’t you agree?
Then if that same logic applied, and Bryant or Arenado were targets, signing Solarte wouldn’t be needed same as when they were still pursuing Donaldson
I’m sure your that type of guy when your girl comes home at 3 am from hanging out at some other guys house you believe her when she says he’s just a good friend.
Good luck navigating life avoiding point blank obvious signs bro.
HAHAHAHAHAHA at MJ’s comment about “the type of guy who believes his girl when she comes home at 3am and says he’s just a good friend” man was that funny!!!
Or maybe there adding Solarte because there working a deal that has Camargo and or Riley leaving
Maybe… to bring in a 3B though? Still defeats the purpose of needing Solarte if a cornerstone piece is coming in.
Face it Solarte is here because they’re sticking internal now. Riley will get first crack. If he doesn’t seize it then Camargo/Solarte will be battling it out for next in line with whoever is doing best.
Not need for Solarte even if you move Riley or Camargo for a reliable 3B.
Now maybe they move them for a player at different position. And yeah then they’d need Solarte. But we’re talking about upgrading 3B. Clear sign this is how they’re rolling at third.
Anyone thinking otherwise just reeks of desperation.
If she didn’t respond to your 2nd or 3rd text she’s not responding to your 4th text guys.
I think you’re reading way too much into a minor league deal. We needed another bench bet, this is a zero risk move with possible nice upside that is extremely cheap. In fact, one could name the argument that by going cheaper on utility, they are enabling spending somewhere else. Basically Solarte seems more like a cheaper alternative to Hechavarría than anything else.
With that said, I don’t think they make a big move at 3rd for either Bryant or Arenado. I honestly hope they don’t, because it really makes no sense to me to pay dollars and prospects for what you could have just paid dollars for with JD. I get that they’re younger, and at least one of them is likely to put up better numbers overall over the next 2 years than JD, but the Braves can’t buy players, they can only pay internal growth at a high rate. Unless the fans start coming out more during the year.
I could see a larger trade deal for a cheaper alternative, though I don’t think there are many if any out there.
Camargo could be part of a bigger deal. Not necessarily a 3B.
Signing solarte could mean braves are looking at a super utility guy to replace Camargo if and when he is dealt elsewhere. Solarte can play all 4 infield positions and OF, not elite defense by any means but he can.
It’s a minor league deal.
It means nothing of that sort…..
Ok well when opening day rolls around and there’s no other 3B addition just make sure you all remember this moment
You won’t though. You’ll just fall back on the excuse of “Well it never meant they would upgrade either”
Denial really is a disease
If that’s the plan, my thoughts are all of us Braves fans should make un-baseball related October plans.
“and has even dabbled a bit in left field.“
Hey! Solarte! Take left field! And dabble out there, will ya?
a little dab will do ya
Like the Nest reference
Solarte thinks that if he hits the ball between defenders that he has a hit and that he doesn’t comprehend that you have to actually run to 1st base for it to count.No hustle at all.
Here’s their replacement for Donaldson lmfao
He became insanely lazy in Toronto and he was still making decent money especially for what he produced while he was here. I’d stack the odds against him making the Braves or any other competitor this year. No risk for the Braves though so why not take a flyer on him…
He didn’t become lazy, he became a single parent after his wife died of cancer his last season in San Diego and he was trying to play baseball and raise 2 young girls on his own in a country that he wouldn’t give a visa for his mom to stay in the country and help with those girls. .
I feel like I’ve heard of these people, you give them money and they watch your children,, maybe that was a dream.
His wife died in 2016. His last year in San Diego was 2017. And he had three daughters.
I know everyone is going to make their snide remarks about not getting JD, and now pick9ng him up..However, AA has done an excellent job picking up useful veterans on MiL deals. It is guys like these that have been able to be plugged in, when the Braves ultimately suffer an injury or two, and they’re able to get enough production from them to keep the ship sailing.
It worked extremely well with Flaherty, Hech, Hamilton, Cervelli, Ortega, Blevins, Joyce, etc. among several others. So, while some will scoff at this move, keep in mind, it is depth moves like these that can help a team ultimately NOT lose a division race..
Well put. Also, it doesn’t mean their offseason is over. I doubt AA said “Ok, got Solarte on that minors deal. See, you guys in 39 days for ST”.
What a waste , takes AB’s in ST away from someone who might be useful . 3 yrs he has been ZIP and now AA to make up for the Donaldson Screw up signs a washed up Inf. AA Mr Dumpster Diver . Still cant believe he was so weak he would not offer Donaldson 90 mil and bring him back and still have his prospects for mid season moves after evaluating who they need to keep. . Braves only good Gm in the last 20 yrs was Copy & Hart but they got caught doing what everyone was doing with INT signings
Stupidest post of the day
How was he BEFORE injury? (Since, you know, he’s had a little bit more time to get back to health). Not sure why you’re referring to his post-injury numbers considering how well-documented him coming back too early has been.
He is old and has heath issues !!! For 18 mil ??? He is a high risk 1 yr gamble instead of stepping up for a younger and heathier Bumgarner who was not over priced for this market.
Im not Stupid But U sure sound like a Idiot . JD was 1 yr Gamble on a broken Player he passed on Brantley because he did not want to give the stud a 3rd yr instead brought back Cheap and over the hill Markakis. Will Smith is the Only sign he has made of a Quality player at top price for 3 yrs. He must have been home sick and deal made by JS.. However I did forget to add besides 20 + dumpster dives he has made some great OVERPAYS.. on short deals. He S*cks as a GM. If u love him good for u enjoy 4th place this yr
“Im not Stupid But U sure sound like a Idiot .”
I rest my case.
U might as well rest your Brain – If it works
The 13 in your name must represent your age. You’re either a troll or a child.
Children
please!!!!!
Or his IQ. Either way, he should not be on here.
Sucks as a GM are you serious the Braves have the 2 best contracts in Major League Baseball right now because of AA. So plz stop saying absurd comments like that.
I was hoping they’d have resigned Hechavarria instead…
Agree , he did a great Job while with Atl . Instead they go after this useless piece
Not to mention the game’s sweetest batflip!
Agree He played great for ATL
He is the answer to a trivia question. What MLB player has been with the most teams before they turned 30 years old?
Maybe they will make a trade containing drew waters & co. For a replacement but other than that I think they will be fine without JD. Not as great but still Riley & Camargo(not sure how to spell) will get the ABs and try out & all else fails they can find a trade, . Atl Always draft well so again not worried.
So in 4 years they have a 20% chance of the guy they draft in 2020 taking TBOR’s place? OK. If you say so.
The next chipper jones right there!!
Was once a stud, now a dud.
They are fixing the issues (bullpen) that should have been fixed 2-3 years ago and now the lineup is starting to fall out of line along with an already questionable rotation. It’s like watching a cat chase it’s tail.
They are not capitalizing on key areas when they are only 2-3 pieces away for the last 3 offseasons and it’s mind boggling. Winning the division is winning the world series to them, hands down.
The Braves need a RH power hitter to bat cleanup. The position is irrelevant. Now that it’s not Donaldson move on to OFers.
AA can go the trade route for Betts or Hanigar or sign Ozuna or Castellanos.
Betts would provide a guy for a year which may be all we need with Pache & Waters almost ready.
Or if he signs Ozuna, Castellanos or trades for Hanigar it makes Waters or Pache expendable. Can trade one for an ACE pitcher during the season.
People need to calm down JD is not a good signing for 4 yrs for a NL club.
I really believe the guy to get is Castellanos. You still have Duvall or Markakis for late inning defense and Acuna & Inciarte cover a lot of ground. He will make less than Donaldson and he can always be traded to an AL club if his defense doesn’t age well.
No one is trading an Ace for Waters or Pache.
Listen, you so-called Braves fans, The Braves aren’t going to trade for a player that will cost a bunch of top prospects and that players will walk in 1 or 2 years because we aren’t going to pay 200-250+ million. Maybe the Braves have another plan in mind because they didn’t pay Donaldson., with Colorado maybe.
Sign Castellanos and mid season when Cueto shows he is healthy trade Waters for him
No! After this Donaldson debacle, I’ll flip my lid if they trade Waters for anything besides a true ace, or big time middle of the order bat. Cueto is neither.
If Cueto proves himself healthy he is not an ACE ???
In what world do you live in How is he not ???
Cueto hasn’t been an Ace since 2015. You need to get with the times bud.
40 comments on a minor league signing. Braves fans
are something else!
We rule the world !!!
Isn’t it obvious that by not signing Donaldson they didn’t want to spend that much money so I think Aranado or Bryant isn’t happening but Marte or some other trade or lower cost FA could.
Did you include your comment?
Who needs Donaldson when you can have a Solarte?
OMG, that is funny. Just posted almost the same exact thing. Maybe I should have read some of the comments before posting. .
Who needs The Bringer of Rain when you can have Yangervis Solarte?
The Braves are going to have to get creative when putting the rest of this lineup together. I just don’t see us taking on all of the money plus the prospects to get Nolan from Colorado. Bryant should not even be a mention until his grievance is sorted out. I’m think more along the lines of Marte and Archer for Ender and prospects. It’s not Donaldson but it fills two needs at once.
A backup OF with a 0.6 WAR and an 86 OPS+? Not much going for him. Going to take one heck of a great prospect to get Marte and Archer if he is in the deal.
I absolutely agree, it’s going to take multiple. Marte can bat 4th. I can’t believe that Archer is as bad as he’s been in Pittsburgh. Camargo can handle third until Riley’s learns to hit anything that isn’t a fastball.
You’re over valueing Archer and the Pirates 1 year rental CF. Right now, Archer looks like a no.4 starter and nobody pays much for 1 year rentals.
Marte has two years of control. The Pirates hold a club option on his 2021 season.
The Braves don’t need a number 4 stater. They need more tump from the outfield and a number 5. This deal solves both those problems.
You can have Marte for Riley and Contreras.
I’m not sure it would even take that much.
Can’t someone teach Riley to hit a curve or a slider ?? Braves don’t need a 92 mil oft injured 3rd baseman. He’ll be injured by 1 Aug. Im glad they didn’t sign Donaldson.
Braves are better off with internal options. then wait until trade deadline for the sellers to unload. I like JD but the team will be ok without him. I could see AA trading for a big name at the deadline
A lot of people clowning this pickup but it’s no risk and one thing Solarte has done when healthy is rake. No one here really appreciates depth moves.
Waiting until the middle of the season to pick up a big piece every year is being cheap, trying to save money, and hogwash. Been there done that recently.
Padre fan favorite
I really do not understand why everyone is giving AA so much heat about this signing and using this to justify their argument about letting Donaldson walk. He signed a veteran 3B switch hitter who has had pretty good seasons in the past for legit a penny. Why not take a waiver on him? Little to no risk – high reward and could find lightning in a bottle. He will make a solid bench piece. Everyone is acting like this signing took Atlanta out of the market for 3B or even a clean up hitter lol.
Puzzled about this as well. We’re connected to the two premiere trade candidates out there and have more to offer than the competition. We have time to cling to whatever prospect COL or CHI is trying to pry from us to maximize our system, rather than being handcuffed to that contract for an aging slugger. This signing also frees up every other bench slot for lefty-righty pure hitters, given the fact we also just resigned Hechavaria.
Isn’t it obvious that by not signing Donaldson they didn’t want to spend that much money so I think Aranado or Bryant isn’t happening but Marte or some other trade or lower cost FA could.
Pirates need pitching, Braves could offer that without gutting the minors.
Freedie “Elvis” freeman is so mad after JD wasnt resigned to protect him that he’s left the building.
PERFECT utility piece, couples with Hech’s def prowess to cover more positions than most. Gotta make that deal to bring back 3B production, pretty sure we don’t let JD go unless something was in the works.