Braves sign Bourjos

[Hawk]

Major league deal - per Rosenthal

$1MM

scraping the bottom of the barrel a bit

[sturg33]

Don't see what he provides over Lane Adams.. I think they're basically the same player, but Adams has at least a bit of upside

[50PoundHead]

Don't see what he provides over Lane Adams.. I think they're basically the same player, but Adams has at least a bit of upside

Bourjos is a proven commodity as a defensive OF including extensive time in CF. Offensively, everyone in consideration for the last OF position (Adams, Santana, and now Bourjos) is a push.

[Slippyjms]

I saw he was released yesterday by the cubs and was thinking he’d be a good pickup. Not sure where his defense is at now but it wasn’t too long ago that it was top tier.

[msstate7]

Lane Adams to Gwinnett then, right?

[jpx7]

and in general a lot of the new regime’s recent marginalia has been somewhat head-scratching.

This one makes a little more sense, given the CF ability and defensive rep that 50 notes; but overall the edge-of-roster moves by AA seem a little haphazard heretofore.

[jpx7]

I saw he was released yesterday by the cubs and was thinking he’d be a good pickup. Not sure where his defense is at now but it wasn’t too long ago that it was top tier.

From mlbtr:

Long a well-regarded defender, the 30-year-old Bourjos racked up six Defensive Runs Saved and a 1.2 Ultimate Zone Rating in 476 innings divided among all three outfield spots last season.

[Slippyjms]

I dunno seems to make sense to me. He’s a pure CF and when Acuna comes up it allows him to stay at one spot.

[clvclv]

My guess is that this and the Flaherty signing pave the way to cutting Adams and Santana loose.

With Colon, Schimpf, Peterson, Acuna (and potentially Riley), all as higher upside plays already at Gwinnett, maybe one of them (Santana or Adams) is kept instead of Xavier Avery.

[50PoundHead]

I saw he was released yesterday by the cubs and was thinking he’d be a good pickup. Not sure where his defense is at now but it wasn’t too long ago that it was top tier.

His defense likely isn't where it was when he started out years ago, but in comparative terms, it's better than they guys that have been considered to this point.

[dak]

Nice defensive upgrade from Adams, at little to no cost offensively.

[dak]

Last 3 years vs LHP . . .

Bourjos: 259 / 313 / 394 (707)
Inciarte: 279 / 323 / 343 (665)
Markakis: 261 / 311 / 341 (652)

[Garmel]

It's not a bad idea to sub Bourjos for Nick late in games with the lead.

[nsacpi]

I never thought it made sense to stack the bench with defensive specialists...maybe one guy who can play short...the defensive guys should mainly be in AAA to be called up when injuries strike...i'd rather have some solid bats on the major league bench...i guess Tucker will be our main lefty pinch hitter when Acuna comes up

[jpx7]

Last 3 years vs LHP . . .

Bourjos: 259 / 313 / 394 (707)
Inciarte: 279 / 323 / 343 (665)
Markakis: 261 / 311 / 341 (652)

Not enough to merit spelling Inciarte regularly, given his three-year average is weighed down by an abysmal 2015 against LHP (he was quite good in 2016, and solid last year). But a smart comparison nonetheless—makes the acquisition appear much more sensible in the post-Acuña near-future.

[clvclv]

I never thought it made sense to stack the bench with defensive specialists...maybe one guy who can play short...the defensive guys should mainly be in AAA to be called up when injuries strike...i'd rather have some solid bats on the major league bench...i guess Tucker will be our main lefty pinch hitter when Acuna comes up

But it's still pretty tough not to say Bourjos and Tucker ought to be a substantial upgrade over Santana and Adams at the point that your starters become Ender/Markakis/Acuna.

[Braves1976]

Lane Adams to Gwinnett then, right?

Adams is out of options.

[Braves1976]

Bourjos is a proven commodity as a defensive OF including extensive time in CF. Offensively, everyone in consideration for the last OF position (Adams, Santana, and now Bourjos) is a push.

Bourjos has been the better CF in the past but he isn't anything special now, he's good enough though. But what Adams and Santana bring is speed to steal bases and you don't get that with Bourjos. Plus Adams put up an over .800 mostly pinch hitting last year.

[clvclv]

Adams is out of options.

Santana replaces Avery in Gwinnett and Adams and Avery get cut loose, maybe.

[Braves1976]

My guess is that this and the Flaherty signing pave the way to cutting Adams and Santana loose.

With Colon, Schimpf, Peterson, Acuna (and potentially Riley), all as higher upside plays already at Gwinnett, maybe one of them (Santana or Adams) is kept instead of Xavier Avery.

That wouldn't be wise, you want to have someone with speed to steal bases on your bench. This may just mean Santana who is on a minor league deal goes to Gwinnett with the new additions making the team.