MARCH 29: The Braves have brought Kipnis back on a different minors pact, O’Brien tweets.
MARCH 27, 1:25 pm: Lamb has been released, per a team announcement. While he signed a major league contract in February, it was non-guaranteed. Therefore, the Braves will only be on the hook for a portion of his $1MM salary. The move drops Atlanta’s 40-man roster count to 39. Lamb will again become a free agent.
Atlanta will also option Camargo and catcher William Contreras to the alternate training site to open the year, per David O’Brien of the Athletic (Twitter link). In addition to Sandoval and Adrianza, backup catcher Alex Jackson and fourth outfielder Ender Inciarte will fill out the season-opening bench.
10:48 am: The Braves announced this morning they’ve selected the contract of corner infielder Pablo Sandoval. Outfielder Phil Ervin has been designated for assignment to clear 40-man roster space. Additionally, the Braves released non-roster utilityman Jason Kipnis.
Sandoval made Atlanta’s roster late last season and picked up four postseason plate appearances. The Braves brought him back on a minor-league deal in January, and he’ll now earn a season-opening spot on the active roster. Sandoval will join a crowded but still uncertain third base mix in Atlanta, where Austin Riley, Johan Camargo, Jake Lamb and the newly-added Ehire Adrianza could all get playing time. Sandoval, 34, only hit .214/.287/.262 over 94 plate appearances last season, but he was an above-average hitter as recently as 2019 with the Giants.
Ervin has bounced around via waivers from the Reds to the Mariners to the Cubs and to Atlanta since last summer. The 28-year-old hit fairly well over his first couple seasons in Cincinnati but stumbled to a .149/.292/.189 mark last season. Teams remained intrigued by Ervin’s combination of otherwise decent offense and ability to play all three outfield positions, but the out-of-options outfielder has had trouble sticking on an active roster. Atlanta has a week to trade Ervin or place him on outright waivers.
Kipnis signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta after spending last season with the Cubs. The former Indians second baseman hit .237/.341/.404 with Chicago in 2020. He’ll now return to the open market in search of a new opportunity.
a little shocking, but great to see Panda still kickin’ it. welcome to Pittsburgh Phil!
Not really a shock. But ok.
Love the Panda! But isn’t time to retire already? Besides he only plays at a All-Star level with the San Francisco Giants, everyone knows that. Lol.
Which MLB team do you manage?
Heeeere we go..
Insert eyeroll.
It’s a discussion board, dude. People share opinions. Chillax.
Time for the editors to edit..
I will always remember when his belt exploded on a swinging strike against the jays lol
I will always remember Panda wearing skinny jeans for Red Sox Winter Weekend.
He’s played well, was killing it in spring training and played well as recently as 2019. Not to mention the fact that he made a major league team to start the season. Why is it time to retire?
So he hit better with a juiced ball. Still shocked a contender didn’t have better options or use a minimum wage youngster who can’t be any worse. Don’t see him staying on the roster for very long as role players this year need versatility something he hasn’t shown.
“can’t be any worse” – except every year we see tons of guys who do much worse. You also can’t underestimate experience with winning, that insight gives him an edge over those (nameless youngsters).
The Braves’ belt manufacturer just hit the jackpot.
No actually the machine just broke.
Tryin to save money on sny wasted food on before game locker room spreads
No leftovers when Panda is around
Wow, didn’t see this coming. Thought for sure he would have been two steps behind Kipnis at this point for the backup infielder spot. Good for panda though.
Ervin should have no trouble finding regular work for a team that needs a solid 4th or 5th outfielder. Chi sox might be interested.
kinda hard to believe
Panda over Kipnis? Are they high in Atlanta?
Why? Can play 1B/3B, switch-hitter with power and patience & playoff experience (albeit awhile ago). He’s the safer choice for the role and Kipnis has very limited upside at this point in his career.
He had a WAR of -0.5 last year. I predict he doesn’t last long.
How much of that was with ATL? 4 non-playoff PAs for ATL. Wouldn’t be the first time Braves have fixed Giants toys: Melancon (though ATL paid heavily for that one).
If the Braves think they can get Pablo to make adjustments then, yea maybe. I just don’t think that that seems likely at this stage in his career. Plus, I’m skeptical in general that players are likely to noticeably improve just because they’re on a new team. 99% of the time your stats and age are the best predictors of future performance. Everything else is just speculative narratives that rarely hold up.
And he had 1.5 WAR the year before.
I’m sure previous stats and age was involved in their evaluation of these players but it’s Panda that looks like he will be ready and more capable of the three right now. Wasn’t like that last year and probably won’t be next year but this year that’s the case. The Braves have to make roster decisions because they can’t keep them all.
Pay no mind to his WAR. His BMI is insane!
Pablo Sandoval is one of the least patient hitters in the game
And apparently one of the least patient eaters in the game, as well.
It’s hard to believe he’s going to do more to help them win than Kipnis would have but at least he earned that spot this spring.
Has more to do with situational use as compared to viewing a player page on FanGraphs or wherever & viewing their WAR total. The team is clearly deficient in a top pinch hitter & will surely be in the market to acquire one in the next week or 2. If they don’t then it’ll be Panda.
There’s no harm in selecting his contract & designating him a week from now because nobody is going to poach a panda.
@Yeti I think even if you’re considering this from a situational perspective, both of these guys have platoon splits that show they hit RH pitching fairly well but don’t do much against LHP. Career OPS of .817 against RHP for Panda and .789 for Kipnis.
Personally I don’t think you get that much more offensive production with Panda as a late game pinch hitter than with Kipnis, or at least enough to justify him having negative defensive value. They both seem like okay pinch hitting options and one can play in the field and the other can’t.
With Camargo & emergence of Adrianza, no need for Kipnis. Kipnis would have been 2B-backup, not spending much, if any, time at 3B where Sandoval could get limited late-game exposure, if Camargo is not an option.
Camargo was optioned as well
Cannot speak for KC or Baltimore but the A’s have no need. Lowrie is back, plus Tony Kemp and Chad Pinder will see time at 2B.
Baseball is more fun when Jason Kipnis is playing. Royals, A’s, or Orioles would be good fits.
Nice guy without a position in Atlanta. He’s about the same fielder as Daniel Murphy was without the great bat. Was a better fit for Chicago last year. No way he can play left side infield- does not have the range or arm.
Start the meter on Panda’s annual weight gain as the season progresses.
Time to take old yeller out to the pasture…. Sandoval should give it up
Releasing the Panda was probably Farhan’s biggest misstep so far. He should have put him on the IL, sent him to the alternate site to work things out then brought him back.
Because there were no fans in the stands last year releasing Sandoval went relatively unnoticed. But a guy who’s won 3 rings for your organization and is beloved by fans deserved a better exit. Hopefully, the Giants can rectify that error in the future.
Panda is great if you have been watching he deserves it. Adrianza has been the best player in spring.
Ideally, Panda will be fantastic in the clubhouse, give Freddie a breather every now and then, and be a decent-enough pinch hitter. Keep in mind that after the Dodgers blitzed the Braves in Game 3 last year, it was Ozuna and Sandoval who lead a pregame dance party in the clubhouse the next day. Even though most of the club is well-seasoned to expectations at this juncture, the Braves are still fairly young. Having that presence and personality in a clubhouse absent guys like Markakis, Culberson, Melancon, and Flowers isn’t something to be overlooked.
Yea I guess the move makes more sense to me once you factor in team chemistry. Good to have a vet who can keep the guys loose. (Otherwise I generally tend to want my team younger, and without clearly way past their primers.)
Is it me or does it seem like Johan Camargo doesn’t care or isn’t trying? I’ve seen Sandoval and Adrianza working hard and putting in the effort and Camargo doesn’t hustle or try to make defensive plays. Just something I’ve noticed this spring.
Idk about this spring but what the heck are you talking about? camargo has been one of the hardest working players on the team every year. he got snubbed when they signed JD and the Braves havent given hima chance since. waste of talent
He’s overrated
Have you seen him this spring? I’m not the only one to see it I think. Yeah he did get snubbed though!
The Lamb Chop era has ended before it ever started.
haha nice…that would’ve been great
You don’t want a player with a food name on your team if Sandoval is around.
Sandoval has the lamb chop covered, most likely with gravy.
I thought Jake Lamb was going to be a prime bounce back candidate….was he not performing in Spring Training? I’m streaming TV right now and couldn’t see any ST games smh
I’d have given Lamb the first month or so to try to get right over carrying the extra RP. Atlanta could’ve used the bench pop.
Not raking, but long term he seems a better bet than Sandoval. I think Lamb can get back to being a major contributor, just needs another chance. I wonder if he will get one.
Yep. Here come the White Sox
Thank God Camargo is goin to AAA!!! He has no business being on our MLB roster.
Indeed, the braves announced the bench will consist of inciarte, Jackson, adrianza, and Sandoval which means Pache will be the starting center fielder opening day!
I know I’m really excited to watch how Pache progresses throughout the season. He will have Acuña and Albies in his ear. At this point I don’t think he would gain much more as a hitter in AAA. I think it’s time to put him in the big leagues and let him learn what it takes to hit big league pitching. His defense is going to be fun to watch. I could see some really crazy WAR numbers coming from him from defense alone.
Good moves by the Braves! Roster spots have to be earned, and Panda has clearly done that. Go Braves!
Key to Sandoval descending the stairs at Harmonia Gardens’ Atlanta Restaurant Owners Convention:
“Well, Hello, Panda
Well Hello Panda
It’s so nice to have you back where you belong…
You’re looking FAT, Panda
We get THAT, Panda
You’re still eating, you’re still burping, you’re still ..belching strong
We hear the tills a-ringin’
With the dough you’re bringin”
Our kids can get that dental work they’ve needed now!
So take a seat, Panda
Lift your feet Panda
We know Panda will never go away for hours!…..”
Good riddance Lamb
lol!
Go panda!!!
I could see Colorado possibly signing one of Lamb or Kipnis. Ryan McMahon was ticketed for 3B til Rodgers got hurt. Kipnis would allow for mcMahon to stay at 3B. Lamb would give them a left handed option at both 3B and 1B
I’m surprised Sandoval is only 34. It seems like he’s been around longer. I would have guessed he was about 37 or 38.
I’m also surprised by his listed weight. 268 pounds seems a little light.. But baseball weights have never been reflections of reality.
He’s also like 5’9
His body probably feels like it’s 38 years old.
You felt his body and guessed his age? >=}
I can see a contender picking Lamb up like the A’s did last year. He would be a nice bat to have down the stretch.
The Nats should go for Lamb. They could use his help at 3rd and he always played well against them.
NPB or KBO could be a very profitable option for Kipnis and Lamb. Lamb would be an improvement over Ryon Healy for the Hanuwa Eagles.
Been hearing all these fat jokes for a decade, yet the panda is still more athletically capable than most people half his size. Happy for Sandoval. Giants aren’t the giants anymore anyways, new front office destroyed the franchise.
Pablo has been raking in Spring Training. I never joke about people’s size or appearance for the most part, but, when you are paid to be a professional athlete, you’d think you’d take care of yourself a little better. That being said, you’re right, dude can hit better than anyone making fat jokes. Doesn’t seem to have that much pop anymore (lacking bat speed probably) but would be a good bench bat in a key situation.
This bench is hard to be excited for.
Like to see kipnis back. Cant hurt to have that vet experience in the minors. And who knows, might provide value later on in the show. I just don’t see panda being with us for more than a couple of months. He has and will regress
Are the Red Sox still paying Sandoval not to play?