Braves sign Jose Veras

S

skillet

Playing the Waiting Game
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/02/braves-jose-veras-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html

The Braves and right-hander Jose Veras have agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league Spring Training, reports MLB.com’s Mark Bowman (on Twitter).

With the exception of a 13 1/3 inning stint as the Cubs’ closer, Veras has been largely effective over the past two seasons. The Praver/Shapiro client pitched to a 3.02 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 62 2/3 innings between the Astros and Tigers in 2013, registering 21 saves while serving as Houston’s closer. Upon his release from the Cubs in 2014 (which came on the heels of a ghastly 12 earned runs allowed in those 13 1/3 innings), Veras went back to Houston and worked to a 3.03 ERA with 37 strikeouts against 16 walks in 32 2/3 innings of work.

Veras had previously said he hoped to return to the Astros — an organization that has come to feel like home for him. However, Houston was but one of four teams with whom he was speaking at the time, and it appears that the Braves presented a better opportunity for the 34-year-old. He’ll compete for a spot in a revamped bullpen that has seen David Carpenter, Jordan Walden and David Hale depart via trade. In their place, Jason Grilli, Jim Johnson and Josh Outman have been added on Major League deals. Veras will look to join that trio, as well as elite closer Craig Kimbrel, lefty James Russell and righty Shae Simmons in manager Fredi Gonzalez’s bullpen.
 
Bowman broke this news but he initially reported it as just a NRI so I started the discussion in the NRI thread. JFYI.

Anyway, I like the signing and believe he has a lot better shot at making the team than Capps. Houston fans were sad to see him go too, which isn't surprising after reading this quote: "Veras tells Drellich that he made a “mistake” by leaving Houston in the first place, considering how much he enjoyed his time there, and he’s willing to return in any role: “I’m available to do anything. Be it closer, throw the eighth, throw the seventh. I just want to be on the team (where) I feel like a family, like I feel here. That all these guys respect me, I respect them, I love them, even though we don’t win 100 games like we maybe want to do.”"
 
I like this strategy of compiling a bunch of arms. Who knows, we might see a couple trades in March or during the season to pick up even more young talent.
 
BTW, DOB finally heard after Bowman broke the news a while ago. But in DOB's defense he was busy writing an article about the signing of Matt Capps and his latest long-shot comeback attempt. :)
 
skillet said:
I like this strategy of compiling a bunch of arms. Who knows, we might see a couple trades in March or during the season to pick up even more young talent.
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Yea, no risk with these type of signings. Veras did pretty good with Houston the last few years too. He could actually make our bullpen with a solid spring training.
 
CyYoung31 said:
Castoff Pirates pitchers and TJS patients have been the order of the offseason.
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Hey now, let's not forget this is a "Youth Movement" the Braves have underway. That is why we keep signing these pitchers over 30 years old (Capps is 31 and Veras is 34). :)

How about this line for an AJC article announcing the Veras signing: "The Braves continued their "Youth Movement" today by signing 34 year old former Astros closer Jose Veras." :happy0157:
 
Perfect Cell said:
Cant wait for us to sign Brian Wilson next!
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20130210-brian-wilson-624x420-1360537909.jpg
 
It's a good move though. A couple of these guys could be traded mid-season to a team in the hunt and help that much more. Low-risk could be solid reward.
 
UNCBlue012 said:
It's a good move though. A couple of these guys could be traded mid-season to a team in the hunt and help that much more. Low-risk could be solid reward.
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And veteran arms might produce some quality numbers and don't have to clog up the pipeline when the staff wants to bring up a younger, possibly better (and now MLB ready) pitching prospect.
 
Experienced relievers have some value at the trade deadline. If we just hit on one of these relievers it's worth it.
 
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