The Braves announced today that they have signed utility player Jorge Mateo to a one-year deal. The Movement Baseball client gets a $1MM guarantee, reports Francys Romero of BeisbolFR. Atlanta opened a 40-man roster last week when José Suarez was put on waivers and claimed by the Orioles. This move gets them back to a full 40-man roster.
It is probably not a coincidence that Atlanta is signing a shortstop-capable player one day after the unfortunate Ha-Seong Kim news. Atlanta announced yesterday that Kim hurt his hand, reportedly from slipping on ice, in South Korea. He underwent surgery in Atlanta to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger. He is expected to miss four to five months, meaning he will be out for a decent chunk of the first half of the upcoming season.
Kim was previously slated to be the club’s everyday shortstop, with Mauricio Dubón in a multi-positional bench role. Kim’s injury suddenly vaulted Dubón up to being the club’s everyday shortstop, which would be a bit of a stretch for him. He has played the position in 107 games in his career, logging 721 innings, but last year’s 33 contests were a career high. He’s been credited with 13 Outs Above Average at the spot in his career but Defensive Runs Saved has him one below par.
The depth behind him was also lacking. Nacho Alvarez Jr. is on the roster and has shortstop experience in the minors but Atlanta kept him at second and third base last year. Even if he were a viable shortstop, he hasn’t hit much in his big league career yet. Aaron Schunk was signed to a minor league deal but his shortstop experience is also fairly limited and his offensive numbers are even worse than Alvarez’s to this point.
Going into the season with that kind of group would have been unacceptable for a team hoping to contend, so responding in some way was inevitable. Mateo isn’t a guarantee to help, as he is coming off a couple of injury-marred seasons, but there also wasn’t much else out there on the market. With Bo Bichette heading to the Mets, the top shortstop free agents are veteran utility types like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ramón Urías.
Atlanta is taking a cheap bounce-back flier on Mateo, with a deal barely above next year’s $780K minimum salary. As mentioned, Mateo is coming off a few challenging seasons. In July of 2024, he was playing second base for the Orioles when he and Gunnar Henderson both slid for a ground ball. They collided and Mateo suffered a subluxation of his left elbow. He underwent surgery in August, prematurely ending his season.
Inflammation in that elbow put him back on the injured list in June of 2025. While on a rehab assignment, he suffered a hamstring strain which kept him on the shelf for July and August. Due to all those injury challenges, Mateo only played 111 games over the past two years combined. He also produced a lowly .214/.253/.362 line in that time. Baltimore made a fairly easy call to turn down a $5.5MM club option for 2026, sending Mateo to free agency.
Atlanta probably isn’t expecting much from Mateo offensively, as that has never been his forte. His career batting line is just .221/.266/.363, which translates to a wRC+ of 75, indicating he’s been 25% below league average overall. If healthy, he will surely provide value from a speed-and-defense perspective. He topped 30 steals in both 2022 and 2023. Over the past two years, despite the injury absences, he still swiped 28 bags. In 2025, he stole 15 bases even though he only got into 43 games.
With the glove, Mateo has 2,320 1/3 innings at shortstop, more than three times as many as Dubón. Mateo has been credited with 13 Defensive Runs Saved and six Outs Above Average in those. He also has experience at second base, third base and all three outfield positions.
Adding Mateo gives Atlanta a bit more depth and flexibility to cover for Kim’s absence. Dubón is a better hitter than Mateo, though he’s not exactly a slugger. His career .257/.295/.374 batting line translates to an 85 wRC+, ten points ahead of Mateo but 15 below par. Mateo has the edge in terms of speed. Defensively, OAA likes Dubón but DRS leans to the more-experienced Mateo.
Both players hit from the right side and have traditional splits, with better career numbers against lefties, so a platoon isn’t likely. Atlanta can perhaps have the two battle for shortstop playing time in spring training. Both have extensive experience at other positions as well, so a utility role is possible for either or both. Once Kim returns, he should push them both to the bench, though it’s entirely possible other injuries pop up around the roster between now and then.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Kucin Jr., Imagn Images
Should have signed Melvin Mora.
Isn’t Graffanino’s kid playing somewhere? For old time’s sake
His Linked in page says he’s retired. Can’t find any team info on him after he was released from a Phils mil team in 2022 according to milb.com.
He played summer league in our town when he was in college. Tony came to watch him on occasion, and we got to meet him there.
Or trade for Cronenworth
no thanks with that contract
Melvin Mora, my main man!
Dude was such a force in MVP 2005.
Why not IKF? Might get a couple of WAR out of him
Mateo has good power and speed. Unfortunately, he does not make enough contacts.
He really should get out and mingle more
I had no idea Mateo was an optometrist, or that the Braves could make use of such skills.
Well evidently he’s not a very good one on account of the lack of contacts
He’s got great legs, maybe he should try speed dating?
He should start by getting business cards printed.
Another minor league depth piece. Will get a spring training invite. Will have 3 or 4 in camp trying out for a utility reserve role.
$1MM guarantee.
He will be on roster at least until HSK is back. From there, depends on production or another injury.
You gotta understand what you read, my friend.
Don’t think so, I think Mateo is the back-up SS, and a sure thing for one of their bench spots.
I think Mateo should be the utility guy and Dubon take SS until Kim is back.
Yes Mateo is arguably the best pinch runner in the sport and a good defender. He is also versatile defensively. Even thought he is not a good hitter he can be quite valuable as pinch runner/Defensive sub
Pretty sure that’s the plan
I imagine that’s the plan. He’s gonna be a bench/pinch runner and Dubon will start.
Just focus on peralta. As for the lineup it all hinges on Riley albies and Harris. If they are good team will be good regardless of shortstop.
I really want Lodolo instead tbh.
I don’t think the Reds are trading Lodolo
Peralta is actually available
Is he available? That would be a good get…I’d take Bubic in heartbeat, supposedly he’s available.
Crisis averted
You have no idea!!!!
Hey, this isnt so bad. Every time he gets on there’s an 80% he steals a base. That’s like 15 stolen bases for the season.😂
“ In 2025, he stole 15 bases even though he only got into 43 games.”😂
Yes, O’s fan here. Very nice and cost-effective move by the Braves. Mateo will bring speed, defense and versatility, despite the lack of offensive production, which will be sporadic.
It was just a joke, bro.
As long as he can play decent defense and occasionally pinch run he will be fine on the bench until Kim recovers.
It’s a move…. And he’s fast. He flashes moment of being really good but typically tanks hard. He’s pretty bad so hopefully he’s just a bench piece.
He hits like Nick Allen.
Mateo’s ceiling is much higher than Allen’s ceiling
People still talk about the legend of Mateo’s April of 2023.
People still think he can hit because of April 2023. 30 career HR in 6 seasons, hit 20% of them that month. Career 77 OPS+ is a much better summary.
He’s improved contact away from being a first division starter/swingman, doubt it happens for him but he’s an otherwise really good ballplayer. Surprised he wasn’t pickes up for a bench spot on a contender, maybe he was waiting for a spot like this where he could attempt to force his way in to the lineup
He had an OPS+ of 36 last year over 83 plate appearances. He can barely hit enough to stay in the majors another year.
Hopefully he’s fully recovered from his 2024 TJS. Doubt it helps that ugly OPS+ much, but yikes—–that’s Nick Allen level incompetency w/the bat.
Bring bunting back and test Bo at the hot corner.
Hearing Harold Reynolds justify that signing saying that “it’s like he’s playing the shift” playing at 3B was hilarious. Yes, playing 3B is like a SS playing the shift a few years ago – spot on, Harold.
Harold’s always good for a laugh. He’s a cringeworthy kinda guy.
Good enough.
For 1 million dollars he’ll be serviceable until Kim comes back.
he’ll def bring his glove from Baltimore. and his oven mitt for slides. he should probably leave his old bats with the Orioles. something must have been wrong with those. lol
seriously, I liked Mateo but he was shockingly awful at the plate.
That’s a pretty good pickup at that price. Easy pivot there tp get the extra infield piece.
I know this move is gonna get hated on but it really could be sneaky good. The problem with Mateo is exposure. You dont want him starting everyday or getting 500 at bats. Hes a good option for that 9th spot a couple times a week. Hes super athletic, good team guy, solid defense, and high energy. When hes playing well he looks like an all star so you have to put him in the best position to succeed
The problem is exposure – when he plays he can’t hit or field. Guy can run though. Can make him 2026’s Herb Washington.
In a way he’s smart. He should be running 100m on the pro track circuit but track and field doesn’t pay a million bucks, let alone the 3.4M he got last year, for veing a terrible baseball player.
When Bichette gets injured, this will be considered a good signing. Why does AS ALWAYS takes the cheap way out. We at least, deserve one more starting pitcher. Come on AA!!!
You don’t actually deserve anything. Sorry your mommy told you otherwise.
Solid defensively and has been a starter in the past. Considering how close to spring training it is, Mateo is a very nice addition. I didn’t think he would be priced this low.
After signing the contract he injured his hand while handing the pen back to the GM and will be out five months with ligament damage
He only injures himself via running g into other players. Don’t forget when he tried to stop Mullins bat with his head. Last year he ran into someone too.
If this dude could learn how to bunt…
HSKs salary just turned 1mill more costly
AA playing chess again while everyone else plays checkers or something.
Got to give it to AA. He is at least trying. Lol
what
Having versatility and being deployed at various spots is not the same as being a skilled utility man. This glove-first guy made 6 errors in bit action, on pace for over 30 if full time. There was a glowing writeup about his “hustle” online last year that missed the point he misplayed the ball, ran into the wall, and hurt himself.
He can’t hit but he can really run. At least Atlanta didn’t pay 3.4M like the Orioles did last year for a pinch runner. Atlanta is in good shape if that’s all they need him to do. The more he plays the worst their season is going.
He’s probably going to be their starting SS for awhile. That’s where he belongs. He’s not a great option but this is their only choice at this point in free agency.
Only costing them 1M, so they can move on easily when he doesn’t hit.
@44: Dubon’s more likely to be the starter at SS. Mateo will take the utility infield spot vacated by Dubon.
I think ATL will ultimately go with the better glove at SS like they did with Nick Allen.
Dubon plays other positions better than Mateo as well. I think he’ll end up getting quite a few looks at short assuming he’s not completely atrocious offensively.
I guess Jeff Blauser wasn’t available.
$1 Million for a great glove and speed? No brainer.
Is he an undocumented immigrant without permission to be here?
Is there something cognitively wrong with you?
Jorge will flourish with the Braves like Stowers with the Marlins but not like Ortiz with Brewers…
So can someone tell me how Kim got a one year $20 million deal? And then this guy gets a $1 million deal is there really a $19 million difference between the two for one year? I just don’t see it in Kim.
That’s funny. Samuel muted me for laughing at him when he claimed that Kevin Newman was a better SS than Dansby Swanson (when Swanson was going through free agency.)
Don’t lie, we all miss Samuel. He always had something clever to say, usually in a long-winded paragraph. Also he loved his rotisserie league lol
I guess the braves are short on minor league shortstops that can join the majors team.
Yes, at the upper levels. They don’t want heartburn and indigestion from Nacho at SS. They have some (Lodise, Cody Miller, John Gil) that have taken steps, but aren’t ready until ~2027-28.
If he can get on base lots of speed.
He will win you games pr third to home.
Not once did he do that in all his time with the Orioles.
He killed many rallies though.
I’d like this move better if Kim was healthy. I love the idea of having multiple guys on the bench that can literally play anywhere in the field. This guy, Dubon, and Eli White is like a flux of solid to elite defenders that can play anywhere on the field expect catching and pitching. And two of these folks have stupid fast speed. Cant have too much of that. Hope he bounces back just a little and this turns into a nice little signing
If it was Kiner-Falefa instead of Mateo catcher would have been covered too.
lol perhaps. There is time and perhaps we sign him and have the best bench ever, although I think we are out of spots
Dubón will start at SS and Mateo will be bench depth. They were gonna play Dubón at SS if they didn’t sign anyone else.
Bring back Walt Weiss.
Oh.
This will be considered the best move of the offseason when this cat hits .270, mark my words, this will be another Eddie Rosario signing that will lead the Braves to an another division title……or maybe not.
The Mets have multiple extra shortstops including luisangel acuna but what will the braves give up for him ?
Just think we could have just signed this guy in the first place told Mr Glass to pound sand and hit the bricks and got a 4 or 5 slot starting pitcher. Gotta have that flashy shortstop though!
I like this acquisition for the Braves. Had their previous seasons’ bad luck carried into the upcoming season already?