The Braves announced they’ve acquired outfielder Eli White from the Rangers in exchange for cash. Infielder Hoy Park was designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot. Texas had DFA White last week.
White, 28, has appeared at the MLB level in each of the last three seasons. A former Oakland draftee who landed with the Rangers in the Jurickson Profar swap before the 2019 campaign, he debuted with Texas the next year. White played a sporadic role for the next few seasons, suiting up in 130 games. He owns a .185/.260/.295 line over that stretch, hitting nine home runs but striking out at a massive 31.6% clip.
While While hasn’t hit much at the MLB level, he’s shown flashes in other areas. He’s stolen 17 bags in 22 career attempts, including a 12-for-13 success rate this year. The Clemson product has demonstrated that athleticism on defense, with Defensive Runs Saved pegging him 11 runs above average through 890 career innings of outfield work. He’s rated as nine runs better than par by Statcast’s Outs Above Average, with most of his time in left and center field.
White’s 2022 season was cut short in June when he fractured his right wrist in an outfield collision. The injury required surgery, but there’s no indication it’ll have any lingering effects on his 2023 preparation. Assuming he holds his 40-man roster spot all winter, he’ll compete for a bench job in Spring Training. Atlanta has Marcell Ozuna, Eddie Rosario, Jordan Luplow and Sam Hilliard all jockeying for left field playing time alongside Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. No one in the left field mix — White included — can be optioned to the minor leagues, so Atlanta may wind up dropping one or two of those players from the 40-man roster before the regular season kicks off.
Park landed in Atlanta less than two weeks ago. The Braves acquired the left-handed hitting infielder from the Red Sox for cash or a player to be named later. He’d just been claimed off waivers by Boston from the Pirates, and he’ll head into DFA limbo for a third time this winter.
The 26-year-old has a .201/.291/.346 line in 210 MLB plate appearances with the Yankees and Bucs in the past two seasons. He’s shown solid plate discipline but hit for below-average power and struck out at a slightly elevated rate. The South Korea native is a .255/.384/.417 hitter in parts of two Triple-A campaigns. He’s played each of second, third base, shortstop and all three outfield spots in his limited MLB time. Park has two minor league option years remaining, so another team willing to devote him a 40-man roster spot could keep him in Triple-A for the next couple seasons. He’ll be traded or waived yet again in the next seven days.
White is really going to cost them quite a bit of $$$.
Braves are really going for it!
It’s likely a sarcastic comment, but consider their trade and extension for Murphy this year and the trade and extention for Murphy last year, along with Harris, Riley, and others. They have done stuff for sure. It may not be quite as big, but they didn’t lose many guys either (Mets did and got many, which makes people think they did a lot, but it doesn’t net out to as much).
*Autocorrect changed Olson to Murphy
No it didn’t. You made an honest mistake. No need to make a lame excuse.
Regardless, I was thinking of Olson, and it clarifies the comment.
Is it really that difficult for you to admit you made a mistake? Wow, that’s an amazing display of incorrigibility
Look at Jimmy Big Words ova here. Just bustin your chops, I agree with you.
Hoy vey
They lost their starting all star shortstop, catcher/DH, and closer. What would you consider not losing much?
That’s cause he told him he’s “number one”
Hes has done an amazing job extending his guys aswell. Jays need to be smart and sign manoha and other long term soon I feel bechette and vladdy may be harder signs as there family’s already have baseball money and the extension isnt as life changing as them to others
Kinda like how he spells deGrom with an uppercase D
Yankee Fan Syndrome (YFS). Unless a player costs at least $25M, he is worthless.
@mets
Losing Dansby does hurt sure, his defense and hustle will be missed until we see if Grissom can step up. We have enough hitters on the team to spread the DH ABs around, although him playing Narco in NY will be sadly missed by Braves country. Lastly we didn’t “lose” our closer, we let him go because we brought in his replacement last yr at the deadline. In case you weren’t watching Iglesius (sp) was lights out.. You’ve been around too long to make such a mistake in your comments.
Did they replace the 8th inning setup man that is now closing? No they did not. They had two high leverage relievers and now have one. You tell me if the team is worse for that.
The Braves pen is a strength. It’s deep and good. I’m glad Jansen’s gone. He gave me ulcers.
First you said the Braves lost their closer, and when that was debunked, you pivoted to the setup guy. Before you critique a team, you might want to actually look at it to know what you’re talking about.
Jansen was their closer. They lost him. What do you think was debunked?
True. Debunked is the wrong word. Let’s just say they addressed the position. AJ Minter would be their second High Leverage pitcher. They’ve got several others who had ERA’s in the 2’s. I’m not worried about the pen or the rotation. LF and SS are the only real question marks.
Sports talk is getting heated. “Debunked”
AJ Minter has a good year then a bad year. Unfortunately this is his turn for a bad year. The Braves pen might be fine but far from having not to worry about it. The Braves didn’t add but subtracted. The Mets and Phillies are better this year.As competitive as the NL east will be, I would be concerned as a Braves fan. I am a fan of Contreras and think losing him was a huge mistake. Swanson and Freeman should still be in Atlanta. If they kept the three I would agree they would still be World Series favorites instead of fighting for a playoff birth.
They’re fighting for NL East champions. They might wind up with a wildcard, just like the Mets might. Contreras has a good bat, but he wasn’t good behind the plate, and with the new rules he’ll be even worse. Travis can DH if Ozuna falters again. Like I said, the only real holes are LF and SS, and Grissom has a chance to be good. Acuna and Ozzie will both be healthier, which will offset any loss at the DH spot. The Braves subtracted a closer with a bad ERA (for a closer) who led the league in blown saves.
The only significant improvement the Mets made is Correa, if they can work it out. Everything else is pretty much a wash.
The Mets bullpen is a lot better and their rotation is deeper. The Braves put the Brewers in the conversation for a playoff birth. I see 7 teams fighting for 6 spots. Braves, Mets, Phillies, Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers and Padres. I don’t think 3 teams are getting in from the NL east again.
yeah, I left my wallet on your Moms night stand..thats the one I use often..
Get a grip. The Braves are living rent free in your head, while simultaneously crushing your Mets hopes and dreams year after year.
Imagine getting DFAd the same offseason you signed
Good defensive outfield depth for the Braves.
We don’t need depth. We need power. Think Jeremy Clarkson “Power”. That what’s needed. Not depth. Swanson and Contreras are gone. That’s over 40 home run average for them. A top 5 payroll shouldn’t have to plug and hope. Now the media is trying to push for Max Fried to get traded because, why? Face it everyone. Hell even the marlins are signing Bats, Jean Segura, AA keeps trading for players that were DFA. These moves make no sense. Like you said, outfield depth, we don’t have a starting left fielder. AA won’t make any big moves it seems because they are trying to branch off the team to its own stock. I don’t understand why Atlanta had to get Milwaukee involved in that trade. The Brewers walked away with more than 6 players and the Braves got 1, who’s not named anybody with power. What was the reason to extend the catcher? I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy who was DFA, doesn’t get an extension as well. Now we really don’t have a farm system to deal from to get a big fish. Or the funds it sounds like. Grissom, who apparently the Braves didn’t trust his bat enough to start him past the middle of August, is now going to be our starting shortstop? I like Grissom but all of us can see his bat isn’t there. I hope nothing happens to the catching core because we don’t have any good options left. Like will Mississippi have a catcher next season or will it be a return pitch net set up. Groan.
The Brewers got three players. They were involved because Oakland wanted Ruiz.
I could have swore Milwaukee got more than 3 players in the trade for Murphy.
Maybe do some research before you go a ridiculous rant criticizing one of the best gms in the game right now. The entire core of this team is locked up for years and for cheap.
Even without Contreras and Swanson gone, the Braves will be fine for power. Even if the Braves had lost those two for last season they would still have had the 7th most home runs in major league baseball. Additionally, it’s not like the players that replace them will hit 0 home runs. Sean Murphy will do his part to replace a good chunk of those missing 40 home runs.
I stopped reading your idiotic manifesto after the third sentence, once it became obvious that you are likely serious.
And yet morons like you keep feeling the need to write me. What a waste. I don’t think you know what manifesto means. Due to the fact of how your using it. So funny that your so dumb but feel your so smart. People have been lieing to you.
Gosh, some of these depth pieces are just really bad … I mean, no risk I guess, but lord there isn’t even a shred of hope that these guys may contribute. I’m fact, 2 transactions just like this from this offseason have already been DFA before even sniffing Atl
You have the worst takes of any braves fan on this site.
@getrealgone: You’ve obviously missed MJ’s cringeworthy rants. bravesfan is near genius by comparison.
I’m just pointing out that compared to other years, this years depth pieces are just really bad at at baseball and there isn’t really any hope that they’ll be any good. That’s not a bad take, that’s fact
In 2021, the Braves started with a terrible bench. AA adjusted at the deadline. We know how that ended.
Well sorta true… I’d still argue that our depth pieces then were better than these depth pieces. Lol. We also had better prospect capital and cap space to work with. AA did get away with highway robbery with the 2021 trades, so prob not too concerning, but I’d like to think that if I’m an emergency situations, the depth pieces can come in and hit above .200 lol
Maybe I’m an optimist, but I suggest assessing the bench in late March rather than late December. I think it will be better.
When it comes to depth pieces, all I care about are OBP and defense.
Solid depth for ATL
AA chill bro.
I’ll pass on the obvious post.
He has value defensively and speed wise.
He really does. He isn’t going to wow you at the plate obviously but he’s got a great glove and enough speed to play anywhere in the outfield. He had a few incredible defensive gems last season. As a spot guy, you could do worse.
Braves saw your Lewin Díaz, and raised you a Hoy Park.
DFA poker, and the Braves have had all the cards this off-season.
Truist sent out a press release stating that there is only room for one Park in this town.
Another jobber that can barely hit .200
Saint Nick: It sounds like you think that you could do better than this so-called “JOBBER”. If so, why not send a video of YOUR TALENT to a dozen scouts & agents. Let’s see if you hear anything back besides crickets.
Eli?
He’s an improvement on Heredia.
Me and you are improvements on Heredia. Can you swing a pink sword?
Give me some Spring Training and I should do ok.
It took me months to convince myself this wasn’t Eli Whiteside from the Giants. On a separate note, that money they spent this offseason has to come from somewhere, and they have more use for cash than other bemch players. I would still wonder why they would DFA him when they need outfielders.
White has minor league options,so if the Braves can pass him through waivers, they can keep him at AAA.
I…no he doesnt
If he has options, he doesn’t have to go through waivers.
He has options and it doesn’t matter when you need 40 man space.
Park was DFA’d to make room for White, so they aren’t over 40 yet. Only if they acquired another player would the 40-man come into play.
Correct
The story says White is out of options, but Fangraphs shows him with two option years remaining. (It also says all of the other LF candidates are out of options too, but Fangraphs shows Luplow with one.)
Looks like no matter what I do, the site is going to double post that comment.
Or maybe not 🙂
Russian disinformation
Immediately signs a 10 year $8 million deal
This comment is the crown jewel of this thread!
I’m legit scared for some reason this dude will be handed an extension for no reason. Would make 2 in a row.
So you’re saying Murphy got an extension for no reason?
Drew Waters Bat is pissed because AA won’t read or respond to his emails, and won’t follow his advice. Only DWB knows the right way for the Braves to be run, and AA is blowing it.
@bham: You forgot that MJ is the reigning expert on all things Braves related—–when it comes to being the king of bad takes.
I was trying to forget. Thanks for reminding me.
Bhambrave is dumb. Like door knob dumb. You don’t seem like you have to talent to fight your way out of a paperbag. Thankfully I will continue to have losers such as yourself try to demean everyone else around you. What a sad joke.
Hey at least you didn’t mute me like some people do. Props for that.
You still haven’t explained why the Murphy extension was bad…
Take the money Tombs
Eli’s coming hide your heart girl.
Must be a pretty good player, the Braves gave up a whole Park for him.
i suppose braves FO, thinks like cleveland 2022, “we got this, our core is strong enough “
You’re honestly comparing the Braves’ core to the Guardians? Lol
Eli White can bang
Braves fans need to calm down. This is just a simple depth move on a player who has skills but hasn’t put it all together yet. All that matters right now is that Eli White > Hoy Park so AA made the right move. If Eli makes it to Spring Training and shows a big improvement at the plate then he has a chance to make the team, but they didn’t acquire him to be their starting LF. Most likely he will be DFA’d before the season starts but it’s not a bad gamble if White can finally find his offensive game. That’s all this is and every team does this with their 40-man roster.
I like Hoy Park a lot more than this guy
Why? Eli White is an amazing defender and one the best baserunners in the game. Sure his bat sucks, but so does Park’s, but Park is not the defender or baserunner that White is. This is an improvement, and a good gamble.
Might get both. How much 40 man space is left and I’d rather have Diaz Wilson and whoever Pittsburgh drops for Hill.
Much rather have White.
Extension incoming
BTW, last year Park was worth -0.3 BWAR in 60 plate appearances. White was worth 1.0 BWAR in 117 plate appearances, a pace for a 5 WAR season if he had 585 plate appearances. That is how good he was defensively and as a baserunner.
He is clearly better than Park, and if the Braves can help him be a better hitter even a little, he could actually become a very good bench player.
Adam Duvall will be a Brave soon. Just waiting for his price to come down.
That wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Honestly i don’t know what’s taken them so long, it just makes sense. Rosario could use a platoon righty to spell him and his power is legit. Unless they really are waiting for his price to go down.
Nice pickup .. Adds LH depth to the back end of the pen .. Good control !
You think we could get Shelby Miller back? And maybe trade him to Arizona for a good outfielder?
Only if they throw in their #1 pick from 2022.
Druw Jones? That would be fitting.
Why even trade for Park in the first place?
AA is trying to find value on the fringes. If you make ten moves and every move gets you .1 WAR, then at the end you’ve got an extra win. In the NL East, that win could be crucial.
What does the total WAR for all players equal?
1000.
https://medium.com/@dkatzman_3920/how-well-did-baseball-references-wins-above-replacement-war-statistic-predict-wins-in-2019-ec32145036ad
since WAR is supposed to approximate actual wins, and there are 162 games in an MLB season, as a result there are 81*30 = 2,430 total wins in an MLB season, approximately . 294*162*30 ≈ 1,430 of which are accounted for by replacement level players, which means there is 1,000 WAR for the entire MLB.
The next chapter in the book of Eli.
Going to be a crazy battle for the last couple of bench spots.
Probably sucks for the players but it makes spring training a lot more fun for us.
Braves fans are almost as entertaining as Yankee fans.
And every other fan of any team that thinks they could run a team better than a manager or a GM. We all do it, as we heal at the TV I told you so, or realize our choice was wrong.
And every other fan of any team that thinks they could run a team better than a manager or a GM. We all do it, as we yell at the TV “I told you so”, or realize our choice was wrong.
Iuclusciano is right. You only notice fans like Braves and Yankees fans because they are numerous and vocal.
.358 minor league OBP. He’s a lottery ticket, to be sure, but with the new rules putting a premium on speed, if he can get on base he’d be a fine option as a No. 9 hitter who could steal bases and set the table for the top of the order.
I think he’ll be a late inning defensive replacement in left field, and he might get the occasional start against a tough lefty. Eddie’s terrible against lefties.
Eli White would struggle to hit .200 off of a pitching machine.
I’m still laughing at this one.
He sounds like Billy Hamilton. Loved the guy’s speed and defense but Crash Davis said he couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.
Does anyone know why teams only announce how much salary they are eating but never cash paid? Also, does cash received for a player (and not explicitly player salary) reduce the luxury tax payroll for accounting purposes?
I think only the money that goes to the player or his benefits is included in the CBT. Trade money, as in “Cash or a PTBNL” doesn’t count.
Park=Reds
I think it should be noted that Rosario is not a horrible fielder. He is a bad RF, or at least he was. A lot of people seem to think he is horrible in general in the field. He is gonna be given a shot in left/dh. He has hit well almost every year of his career. We have seen this off-season that teams tend to look at the overall track record and not the past season, when coming off a bad year. And he does have an excuse. If he couldn’t see well. As for the Braves fans that don’t get that defense is a part of the game, these depth pieces are very solid defenders. In a good lineup you can afford one bad hitter (Maldonado), especially when they are part time. They probably will be no more than defensive replacements. Although Luplow is potentially gonna see more time.
Poor Hoy Park, first Fenway told him there’s only room for one of us on this town. Now a Brave , finally finds a partner , Truist says , despite my name , changed my mind Hoy, only room for one of us in this town