The Braves have signed infielder Yolmer Sanchez, right-hander Carl Edwards Jr., and left-hander Jesse Biddle to minor league deals, according to MLB.com’s official transactions page. In addition, The Athletic’s David O’Brien reports (via Twitter) that outfielder Phillip Ervin has been outrighted to the club’s alternate training site after Ervin was designated for assignment last week.
Sanchez was seemingly on track to be the Orioles’ regular second baseman heading into the season, though the O’s somewhat surprisingly DFA’ed and then released the veteran infielder last week. It didn’t take long for Sanchez to land another job, with the Braves perhaps looking for some additional infield depth while Ehire Adrianza is away from the team due to a personal matter. (Jason Kipnis and Ryan Goins are two more veteran infield options at the alternate training site.)
Though Sanchez has now been a member of four different organizations, he has still only worn a White Sox uniform at the MLB level. Sanchez hasn’t hit much (.245/.300/.360 in 2459 PA) over his 657 career Major League games, though he has delivered some very impressive glovework as a second baseman and third baseman over his career. His second base expertise was recognized in 2019 when Sanchez won a Gold Glove.
Biddle is back for his second stint in an Atlanta uniform, as he made his big league debut with the Braves back in 2018. Biddle delivered a 3.11 ERA/3.66 SIERA and an above-average 25.2% strikeout rate over 63 2/3 relief innings in that rookie season, and looked to have carved out a niche for himself in the bullpen after being a well-regarded pitching prospect in the Phillies farm system earlier in his career. Since then, however, Biddle has struggled to an 8.16 ERA over 28 2/3 innings with four different clubs in 2019-20.
Edwards is also technically returning to the Braves, as he opted out of his previous minor league deal with the team last week. The 29-year-old posted a 3.06 ERA over 159 relief innings for the Cubs from 2015-18 but Edwards was hit hard during a 2019 season that saw him post an 8.47 ERA over 17 innings with the Cubs and Padres. A shoulder injury hampered Edwards during that season and the injury bug struck again in 2020, as Edwards pitched only 4 2/3 innings for the Mariners before he was sidelined by a forearm strain in early August.
I like these. Nice pickups
I don’t know, it’s a minors signing, so I’m presently not too stressed over the Biddle deal. I hope we don’t have to watch him on a ML mound in Atlanta, though.
The other two are solid pick ups.
I’d rather hand the ball to Biddle than Puke Jackson any day.
Ynoa is no better. It’s like the Braves are in denial that these guys don’t belong
I’m okay with the Braves not spending money on the bullpen given how most of the guys are replaceable, but it really was depressing seeing Newcomb, Jackson, and Ynoa pitch back to back to back. Hell, some people would probably add Tomlin in there but Tomlin is a gamer. Hard to dislike the guy.
This is the type of posts I like to see from you! @bravesabsent
I have no faith in Ynoa yet. Newcomb looked terrible today too. I like Tomlin better as well. He throws strikes and doesn’t walk everybody like Newcomb.
I disagree on Ynoa. It’s too early to give up on him and he could have been a dark horse series mvp against the Dodgers if we had advanced to the WS. He ate up innings and did quite well when we desperately needed him. Clearly I’m higher on him that y’all are, but I do understand he has limits. I actually think he will be a very solid bullpen arm for years. He’s super young, so he has time
Bidder is just fine to have on a minor league contract. He’s shown flashes of being ok. He’s there for a reason, the bullpen has a meltdown and he’s pitching fine you call him up. Otherwise, he prob won’t see light as a brave this year
Great signng. Nice and cheap! Great for fourth-place finish this year and hopefully AA dismissal!
I love when minor league signings prompt an over-reaction.
This is the same poster that can’t move on from ATL not signing MadBum 2 offseasons ago, even though he’s had a 7.20 ERA since signing an $85M deal in more than a season’s worth of play. Overreactions are kinda his schtick.
Yeah, it is pretty sad the dude can change his name like 5 times, yet each time everyone can easily point out his new screen names instantly after he changes them…
New name, but unfortunately still the same sour grapes takes…
Especially, when we’re reacting to Carl’s Jr.
Yolmer > Camargo
28 at bats and 1 hit for the Braves today. First 2 games 2 runs scored thanks to the Panda. Pitching hasn’t been too bad. The Braves need to score runs. I know it’s only the first 2 games but yikes!
Zack wheeler looked like an absolute ace today. Also had two hits. It was a rough game.
Wheeler always had the stuff. It’s too bad the Mets won’t benefit from it. LOL.
The beauty of baseball is there’s always a game tomorrow. I learned a long time ago not to live and die with every pitch. The Braves will be fine.
My choice for surprise MVP contender this year is Ozzie Albies. For Cy Young Award, it’s Julio Urias of the Dodgers. I’m not saying either will win; just that they’ll be in the conversation after not being among the favorites in the pre-season. That mlb.com story that ranked Albies as the 10th-best 2B was absurd. By season’s end, everyone will be talking about him as the best at the position.
Burnes, baby. Not to be confused with MAJOR LEAGUE actor: Corbin Bernsen. Dude is carving up the Twins.
@cey Hey
Ozzie Albies only ranked 10the? That’s surprising. My dark horse pick is, Ketel Marte. I believe he is more of the player we saw in 2019 then 2020. He’s one of my favorite players. Hope you have a good night brother.
Yeah, they’ve all just collectively had really slow starts to the season this year. That was quite clear even in spring training still. I was hoping it might change once the season started, but it looks like it is just going to take them some time to get out of their collective funks..
Once they do get things rolling, I’m really not all that concerned with their offense. Between Acuña Jr., Albies, Freeman, Ozuna, d’Arnaud, Riley, and possibly even Dansby the Braves should have SEVEN 20+ HR guys, and out of those seven players we should see at least another 80SB, 2002B, 103B, and they will have at least 5 of the 7 guys hit .270 or better…
The Braves will have TWO spectacular MVP candidates in Acuña Jr. and Freeman, and they will also have roughly 4-6 Silver Slugger candidates. PLUS, in addition to their offensive abilities, the Braves should field a squad that will have at least 4 Gold Glove candidates, in Acuña Jr., Albies, Freeman, and their otherworldly rookie CF Christian Pache. Pache will quickly become one of the best Center Fielders in all of major league baseball, and I can assure you it will not take long before the NL takes notice and stops running on this kid all together. Pache has a cannon, which he shoots guys out that test him on a pretty consistent basis, and quickly tallied up about a handful of assists this spring training just leaving the guys he threw out baffled in awe st Pache’s arm and his accuracy!!
In terms of the Braves pitching, they’re set-up to make a solid run as well. They’re going to start off the season using a four man rotation headlined by last year’s All-Star and Cy Young contender in Max Fried. Fried will be followed by Charlie Morton, and then next will be Christian Pache’s fellow Rookie of the Year Candidate in Ian Anderson. Fourth will be Drew Smyly, the Braves other addition this off-season, and who also looked pretty solid, except for one disaster of an outing where he looked to be hurt or having something bothering him because he skipped a start or two after that outing..
Either way, when Ian Anderson is basically your #4-#5 SP, your team is in pretty good shape I’d say. Last season, Anderson lit the major leagues on fire, and he did it while making big league hitters foolish with his excellent change-up!! Ian Anderson is not a flamethrower that is pumping 99-102 with his fastball. He is an old-school PITCHER, and he uses a mixture of his 4-seamer, change-up, and his curveball to change his opponents eye level and throw off their timing to induce weak contact…His style of pitching is very reminiscent of another Braves young stud in Mike Soroka.
Speaking of Soroka, the Braves should be getting their real Ace back in short order, and having Morton to lead three talented young starters like Soroka, Fried, and Anderson, the Braves have one heck of a foursome!! With the likes of Matzek, Minter, Will Smith, Chris Martin, N.Jones, and Jacob Webb (eventually) the Braves also have a very talented and reliable stable of bullpen arms to help their starters out!!
The Braves will get their Ace back sooner than later, and their bats will reappear as well, sooner rather than later. All it is going to take is one hot game, and the Braves can and will get back on track. I’m not worried whatsoever, and for those overreacting after a few games, don’t forget, IT IS A LOOOOONG SEASON!!!
And a looooong post. Watch that caffeine intake.
Braves handing out minor league deals like the Dodgers. Can’t hurt hurt to have added depth.
Organizational depth guys with a track record of MLB success. That can make a difference when the inevitable injuries happen. Much respect for the Braves. Built to win and easily the Dodgers’ main threat in the NL.
Good to see Atlanta helping the jobs numbers, putting food on tables, never know when/if one guy will get you a win.
That’s not at all the Atlanta I’ve read about recently….. I joke, I joke.
Braves are, and have been, my pick to win the NL East and be the runners up to the LAD. Pads are close, however. Braves had a good team last year that only matured more individually, grew as a team, gained critical experience together, and improved for this season. Throw in 162, which I think helps them, and they’re one heck of a team for contention this year.
Getting Soroka back will be huge. He is a legitimate #1 starter. Pads are still 10-plus games behind the Dodgers., who figure to challenge for the franchise wins record set in 2019. The current roster is better than that one.
The Dodgers and Braves both have better rotations than the Padres. They also both have more stud position players than San Diego, whose entire offense revolves are Tatis and Machado. If either guy were to miss a significant amount of times, it would be curtains for them.
Mike Soroka reminds me of a combination of kyle Hendricks and Adam Wainwright for some reason.
I hate to compare him to all; all-time great, but his approach reminds me of Greg Maddux. Gets ahead of hitters, doesn’t waste pitches trying to strike them out, trusts his stuff enough that he’s not afraid to pitch to contact. I can’t stand it when a pitcher gets ahead 0-2, only to let the at-bat last seven or eight pitches because he’s trying for the strikeout. In that sense, Hendricks and Wainwright are good comparisons. Low pitch counts by starters saves a bullpen.
Too soon, too soon.
Interesting a recent GG winner couldn’t get a spot. New economics of the game leave some players with a bit of value on the outside looking in.
A key defensive play can be better than an RBI. It saves runs, keeps pitch count in order. It’s why I was surprised when St. Louis let Wong walk.
New economics and advanced analytics.
Wrong when Wong walked
Was kinda surprised Braves signed Kipnis. Now Yolmer. Edwards hasn’t been good for quite awhile. Always need pitching. Kipnis should go home.
@RJ. Even though Kipnis is now 34 I’ll take him over Camargo. Camargo and his personal batting stats have gotten worse every year. Yolmer is even better than Camargo…
@FredMcGriff, I’ll guarantee you that if Camargo played everyday at 3b he would have more homers in a 162 game season than Riley and less errors. Thursday’s game would have went at least one more inning with Camargo playing 3b. He’s 50 times better playing balls to his right than Riley is as was Donaldson. If the ball isn’t hit within 4 feet of Riley to his left you can bet everything you own it’s going to be a hit unless Swanson can get to it. I would trade Riley for a bucket of sunflower seeds and 2 average prospects any day.
Baseball and all sports needs to stay out of social/political issues. No matter their statement, they are going to alienate half their fan base.
This is stupid!
From left field!