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Braves Sign Delino DeShields To Minors Deal

By Darragh McDonald | April 9, 2022 at 8:23am CDT

The Braves have signed outfielder Delino DeShields to a minor league deal, according to the club’s transactions tracker at MLB.com. He was recently released by the Marlins, after signing a minor league deal with them and making a brief appearance in their spring camp.

DeShields, 29, has played in each of the past seven MLB seasons, garnering praise for his speed and outfield defense, but not offering a ton at the plate. He stole 106 bases across his first five seasons while playing for the Rangers, but only hit .246/.326/.342, wRC+ of 76. Still, he was able to provide 4.8 fWAR in that time due to his contributions on the grass.

The past two seasons, he’s gone into journeyman mode, spending time in the organizations of the Guardians, Red Sox, back to the Rangers, then the Reds and Marlins. Last year, he showed a bit more promise at the plate, putting up a Triple-A line of .252/.385/.366, 101 wRC+ and an MLB line of .255/.375/.426, 115 wRC+. That big league output is easily the best of his career, though it came in a small sample of just 58 plate appearances.

For the Braves, DeShields should bolster the club’s outfield depth, which is currently centered by Adam Duvall, who only had 31 games of center field experience coming into this season. They also have defensively-challenged corner outfielders in Eddie Rosario and Marcell Ozuna taking the field on a regular basis. That trio certainly adds a lot of pop to the lineup, but could also be giving runs back on the other side of the ball. Signing a glove-first player like DeShields will give them the ability to pivot to a different approach later.

Of course, all of this is temporary, as the club is just trying to tread water in the outfield until the return of superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. He is still in the process of working his way back from last year’s torn ACL injury. According to Justin Toscano of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, the team is “loosely targeting” April 25 for Acuna to start a rehab assignment in the minors. Acuna was primarily a center fielder in 2019 but gradually started spending more time in right field over the past two seasons. Having a healthy Acuna in center and bumping Duvall into a corner would probably be a best case scenario. However, due to the severity of the injury and his importance to the team, the Braves will surely give Acuna some time as designated hitter and occasional off days, even after he’s eligible to rejoin the big league team. With center field generally being a more demanding position to play than the corners, it’s possible they won’t consider Acuna up the middle at all this year. With that future uncertainty, and the natural grind of a baseball season that leads to both major and minor injuries, DeShields could prove to be a useful piece for the club down the road.

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Atlanta Braves Transactions Delino DeShields Jr. Ronald Acuna

Angels Release Justin Upton
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Offseason In Review: Baltimore Orioles
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11 Comments

  1. chipperfan 2

    3 years ago

    Why not just promote Waters if the Braves are looking for outfield depth. I know Waters dropped off a bit at the plate last season at Gwinnett but he’s a five tool guy who switch hits. Can’t be worse than DeShields. I don’t get this move by the Braves.

    Reply
    • southi

      3 years ago

      There is extremely little risk by signing DeShields to a minor league contract. There is a non zero chance that he never sees the majors in a braves uniform this season.
      On the other hand the Braves probably want Waters getting as many regular atbats as possible with the hope that at some point things begin to click better for him offensively (make better contract and draw a few more walks). From my understanding the kid is a decent enough defensive outfielder already and very capable of playing center from an arm and glove standpoint.

      5
      Reply
      • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

        3 years ago

        DeShields has led the AL 3 times in sacrifice hits, an impressive stat to have to go along with his speed.

        5
        Reply
    • SalaryCapMyth

      3 years ago

      What makes you think this blocks Waters in any way? It’s even a minor league contract. DeShields isn’t taking a major league roster spot.

      Reply
    • John Smoke

      3 years ago

      Tell me how waters is going to get better serving as outfield depth?

      Reply
  2. Lol Trumpets mad

    3 years ago

    Waters is hurt

    2
    Reply
    • Braves Butt-Head

      3 years ago

      As are my feelings

      1
      Reply
    • RunDMC

      3 years ago

      Justin Upton reunion tour.

      1
      Reply
  3. Dumpster Divin Theo

    3 years ago

    Someone should trade this guy for Pedro Martinez Jr Junior

    Reply
    • Deadguy

      3 years ago

      James Shields for Fernando Tatis Jr

      1
      Reply
  4. jessaumodesto

    3 years ago

    How old is he now? 60?!?

    Reply

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