Nion-roster invitees announced; Ruiz, Hunter, Mallex included

[Braves1976]

Locks to make pen (assuming Russell is not traded):

Kimbrel
Grilli
Johnson
Outman
Russell

That leaves two spots for the following realistic options:

Simmons (has minor league option)
Vizcaino (has minor league option)
Avilan (has minor league option)
Jaime (out of options)
Veras (minor league deal)
Kohn (minor league deal)
Veal (minor league deal)
Capps (minor league deal)

Gonna be interesting.

Avilan might be the most likely to be traded and Jaime the most likely DFA candidate at some point. Veras, Kohn, Simmons and Viz are probably the top four not counting the locks with the best shot to earn a spot in our bullpen. Capps is likely the biggest long-shot of them all IMO. And Bowman says that Capps will likely begin the year with Gwinnett should he pitch well enough in spring training.

That said, I'd say Thomas like Veal has a realistic shot if we need another lefty as long as he proves healthy again. However, I wouldn't say either are among the favorites for various reasons.

 

[Braves1976]

BTW, I can see why Houston fans were sad to see Veras go. This was recently posted at MLBTR:

"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.”"

 

[Heyward]

Wouldnt say Johnson is a lock.

Kimbrel, Outman, Russell, and Grilli are the only locks.

Interesting to see who the final 3 are.

 

[Braves1976]

Wouldnt say Johnson is a lock.

Kimbrel, Outman, Russell, and Grilli are the only locks.

Interesting to see who the final 3 are.

Hart loves Johnson, if you recall he use to glowingly talk about him (overrate him IMO) working for MLB Tonight. Plus Johnson got a Major league deal worth 1.6 million plus 900k more to be made via incentives.