The Braves announced this morning that they’ve selected the contract of veteran infielder Phil Gosselin from Triple-A Gwinnett. Ozzie Albies, who suffered a fractured left foot in last night’s game, has been placed on the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the active and 40-man rosters.
It’s something of a homecoming for Gosselin, who was originally drafted by the Braves in the fifth round of the 2010 draft and made his big league debut with the team in 2013. Much has changed with the Braves since Gosselin was with the big league club from 2013-15, but he ought to be quite familiar with current manager Brian Snitker, a Braves organization lifer who has extensive experience coaching and managing throughout the Braves’ minor league system.
Gosselin returned to the Braves on a minor league deal this offseason and began the season with their Triple-A affiliate, where he’s slashed .297/.358/.473 through 204 plate appearances. He’s played more third base than any other position in the minors this year, but the Braves have also given Gosselin time at second base, first base and in the outfield corners. That’s nothing new for Gosselin, who has played every position other than catcher and pitcher in his professional career.
Since being traded from the Braves to the D-backs, Gosselin has bounced around the league and now seen time with seven teams. He’s settled in as a journeyman utility player, often filling a need but rarely sticking in any one place too long due in large part to a lack of offensive contributions. Gosselin sports a solid .261 batting average in 1122 career plate appearances, but he’s paired that with a below-average .314 on-base percentage and a very light .362 slugging percentage. For teams in need of a serviceable fill-in basically anywhere on the infield — just the situation in which the Braves currently find themselves — the 33-year-old has proven himself a fine role player.
Gosselin figures to see occasional action at second base in place of Albies, but Orlando Arcia is the likeliest option for regular work at the position while Albies mends. Acquired from the Brewers early in the 2021 campaign, Arcia is out to a .313/.393/.458 start in a small sample of 56 plate appearances this year. The former top prospect has a much more tepid .244/.296/.366 batting line in his overall big league career, however, so fans shouldn’t expect Arcia to continue hitting anywhere near that torrid pace.
Depending on Albies’ outlook and whether surgery is required, it’s possible the Braves could look to the trade market to add a more clear-cut starting option. If, however, Albies is expected back by season’s end, the Braves could opt for a piecemeal approach to their newfound second base shortage. Albies will technically be eligible to return on Aug. 13, but as of yet, the Braves have provided neither an update on how the injury will be treated nor on when Albies can be expected to return.
Capable bench guy…
Except when Joe Maddon had him starting and batting 4th for the Angels a decent part of last year. Oye.
Give the guy credit, he performed exact how his stats suggest he would lol
The Goose!
He’s loose!
Honestly good for Gosselin. He stunk in his time with my Pirates, but overall he’s been a solid 25th man-type of player. You know that if he’s on your bench you’ll get an adequate glove at multiple positions (and inadequate at a couple more), and a reasonably solid bench or platoon bat.
I’m not sure about the Braves depth at second but the Cubs would happily ship Villar to them. Defensively the Braves would take a step back at second but Villar should be able to produce at Albies level.
“Should be able to produce at Albies level” what an L comment
Seriously. Villar is 31 and has a career OPS+ of 94. Ozzie is 25 and has a 105.
More than that, albies is a just a great player. This is a very large hit on the Braves. People do not give albies enough credit
Just get well Ozzie. Phil hold the spot down best you can at 2B!
Gosh, more trade scenarios…
Goose will do well. Underrated talent.
If Gosselin doesn’t work out 4-6 weeks down the road, AA will pull a rabbit out of his hat if need be, no need to fret yet.
No mention of how well the guy played last year for the Angels, which represented career-highs in multiple stat categories.
Losing Albies for 60+ days is a huge blow to the Braves, especially with how well they have been playing as of late. I still don’t understand how he fractured his foot running out of the batter’s box. I thought he fouled a ball off his foot or something but it doesn’t appear that was the case. Just a freak accident
He broke it on the swing which is even weirder
Wow, that is super weird!
I was on a plane and didn’t see it. I thought the same thing. Then saw that it was from a swing. That’s a new one on me.
It looked like he turned his ankle on the swing. Never got out of the box and landed face down. Thankful it isn’t an achilles.
And let’s hope it’s not the dreaded Lisfranc fracture. Those take a long time to heal, often require surgery and can reoccur as well. Fingers crossed! While I’m not a Braves fan, I am a huge baseball fan and want to see all of the best players stay healthy and compete.
It was a shrewd move to have both Gosselin and Valaka signed to minor league deals this season. Both are adequate fill I s
Orlando Arcia. Neither should be playing as much as would be required. Orlando has proven himself better with the bat and can easily handle 2B considering how well he’s been at SS. Goss/Valaika are bench options and/or AAA depth if Arcia can’t hit.
I think/hope that no one is expecting much offense from the position. If we can get reasonable defense, that’ll be enough.
Yup, Arcia was signed to a 2/$3M guaranteed deal (Nov ’21), which doesn’t seem like much, but he was insurance for this exact type of situation. He’s produced offensively at AAA and MLB in small sample sizes, while having above-average defense as his calling card. Time to cash in that contract.
Completely agree. We have an in-house starter who is off to a solid start with the team. Of course, the depth is needed for the bench, but if Arcia continues to work with Wash on fielding and keep his solid bat going, he is a production sleeper without the cost of a trade.
Agree 100% especially with last paragraph. That’s just shrewd planning. Both guys are good enough that a few teams could have given them shots at more playing time, which suggests Braves might have thrown a few extra bucks their way and asked them to be patient. If so it’s paying off now.
The Goose is Loose!!!
Your basic everyday china utility infielder.
everyday JINA
So, Ozzie’s injury is on his left foot… I was wondering if it was knee, hip, foot, or what on that left back leg. Get better, Ozzie. Pretty sure the team will cover your absence for a bit.
If major injuries to key players are to occur, it is better for them to happen now while the team still has time to re-tool instead of it happening on the last day of the season when it is too late to make a trade and acquisition…see LA and Max Muncy last year.
Goose had a fine season with the Angels last year. I was surprised they did not re-sign him. He should help win some games this season.
Hey Arte, are we going to start winning some games again?
Ouch! 60-Day IL!
Oh man!! The Braves could have used Rougned Odor on their team
Playoff experience, power, and would bring Law & Order to the base-paths!!!!
60-day IL. Where’s the guy who was commenting on the last post that it would be no big deal, 6-8 weeks?
I called it! Hurry back Albies. I miss the guy already.
Arcia will be more than serviceable as the everyday 2nd baseman (starting SS for Milwaukee from 2017-2020) and Gosselin is now the infield utility guy.
This.
You just can’t replace a player like Albies, but Atlanta is equipped to handle his absence with Arcia starting and Goose assuming a super UT role.
Such a freak injury to Ozzie, though. Hate to see that.
Arcia is also out to prove that he should be an everyday player – which is a good thing for the Braves.