Braves Free Agent Preview: Catchers and Corner Infielders
The Braves are pretty set at all three positions, but it can't hurt to look, right?
Other Entries in This Series
The Rotation
The Bullpen
Catchers & Corner Infielders
Middle Infielders
Outfield & DH
I originally considered one article for every position for this series, but some just don't have much to talk about. Like today with backstops, first basemen, and third basemen. The Braves have long-time fixtures here and not much is really needed. But, regardless, let's at least take a look.
2023 Catchers as a Glance
Travis d'Arnaud - $8 million
Manny Piña - $4.5 million
William Contreras & Chadwick Tromp - $800,000 (team control)
Prospects - Logan Brown & Javier Valdés
The Duo
The Braves struck gold in 2022 with d'Arnaud and Contreras even if they didn't plan on it. The original thought process was to let Contreras develop another year in the minors - he was demoted fodrr over two weeks in April. But then the Braves found out Piña had ligament and cartilage damage in his left (non-throwing) wrist and would require surgery to end his season. That opened the door for Contreras and he hit his way onto the All-Star roster.
Overall, Braves catchers produced a .355 wOBA, the best in baseball. Contreras had a .370 wOBA while d'Arnaud put up a .343 number, showing that he was quite capable himself. Defensively, d'Arnaud was much better especially from the framing side. Contreras definitely looked improved on the defensive front, but still has room to grow to be a full-time catching option.
Brian Snitker frustratingly kept Contreras on the bench in the playoffs too often considering the season he had. It was understandable to play d'Arnaud behind the plate, but confusing to keep Wild Bill on the bench when he clearly out-produced Marcell Ozuna and Eddie Rosario. While Snitker doesn't love using his other catcher as the DH, the hope is that he grows more comfortable with that in 2023 because both deserve to be in the lineup.
Third Catcher?
Might Snitker be more likely to use a catcher as his DH if the Braves keep Manny Piña as their third catcher? It seems more likely, yes. Tromp is another option if the Braves do trade Piña. The younger option had the game of his life before hitting the IL. It was also his only game as a Brave as he went 3-for-4 with two doubles. It would have been three had he not pulled a quad. Tromp's calling card, like Piña, is his glove. He doesn't have Piña's background of demonstrated defensive value and is more of a wild card, but will be nearly $4 million cheaper. So, there’s that.
The prospects are both longshots in general, let alone longshots for the 2023 season. Brown has really struggled with the bat while Valdés shocked everyone last year with a .826 OPS between Mississippi and Rome after looking like an organizational depth prior to 2022. Truth is that something has probably gone really wrong if we see either one in Atlanta during 2023.
What Else Is Out There?
So, the thing is - it doesn't really matter for the Braves. They don't need to go hunting for an addition. The market has some interesting names, led by William's big brother, Willson. Gary Sanchez, Roberto Perez, Martin Maldonado, and Christian Vazquez are also available. I could definitely see the Braves bringing back either or both of Tromp's Gwinnett backstop colleagues, Ryan Casteel or Hendrik Clementina, but I doubt they will get too involved in the market.
In fact, as others have suggested, if the Braves do decide to save on Piña’s contract, they could potentially get a decent prospect in return. Teams need legit major league talents behind the plate and the Braves, at worst, have three.
Let's take a look at the corners now.
2023 Corner Infielders as a Glance
Matt Olson - $21 million
Austin Riley - $15 million
Orlando Arcia - $1.3 million
Vaughn Grissom - $800K (team control)
Free Agent - Ehire Adrianza
Prospects - Riley Delgado, Greyson Jenista, Drew Lugbauer
Matty O
When Matt Olson was good in 2022, he was really good. When he wasn't, well, it was damn ugly. Overall, he blasted 34 homers and finished with a .344 wOBA. It was a down year compared to 2021 and the increased strikeouts and massively lowered line-drive rate were big reasons. That said, for all that was bad about the season, Olson still put up a three-win campaign.
Elephant in the room - he's not Freddie Freeman. He won't ever be Freddie Freeman. But that doesn't mean Olson won't be a productive first baseman and, even, an elite option.
Also, a fun fact - Olson's defensive metrics were better in 2022 despite people remembering and commenting only on the mistakes that were made. You can do tons worse than 5 DRS and 2 OOA.
Young Thicc Not Going Anywhere
At the age of 25, Austin Riley had his first five-win season, hit 38 dingers, and got a long-term extension to stick around. All in all, we will gladly take it even if Riley did fall on his face in September and October.
What's next for Riley to improve? Well, you'd like to see him improve on his 8.2% walk rate. Defensively, you'd love to see some real improvement there because contrary to what Braves media types may say, he's just not a good defender. If anything, he was worse last year than he was in 2021. You'd hope he gets better on that front.
But overall, Riley has been a 10.2 fWAR player the last two seasons. The list of third basemen with more fWAR is pretty short - Jose Ramirez, Manny Machado, and Nolan Arenado.
Backups? What's that?
Olson played all but seven innings at first base. Riley played all but 40 of the innings at third base plus he covered those seven innings at first. Now, is that “durability” a good thing? In my opinion, not really, but because of it, there was little need for help beyond Olson and Riley.
Orlando Arcia started four games at third base and he's back in the fold for next season. With Riley expected to continue as Olson's primary backup at first base, there won't be much need for help here short of injury.
Beyond Arcia, the Braves also have Vaughn Grissom. He didn't play any at third base in the bigs last year, but has 28 starts there in the minors. The Braves might look for ways to get him into the lineup next year and if it leads to some rest for Olson and Riley, all the better.
On the free agent front, Ehire Adrianza’s return to the Braves didn’t bring nearly as many memories as his run as a Brave the previous season. Adrianza only got into a half-dozen games, going 2-for-13. With the depth the Braves already have, he’s unlikely to be a target to return unless he’s looking for a minor league gig.
Prospects? What's that?
The Braves are set at first base and third base for the foreseeable future so the fact that there's not much help in the minors isn't a big deal. Justyn-Henry Malloy has experience at third, but seems a better fit in the outfield. Cal Conley and Luke Waddell are Top 30 prospects who could shift over to third, but they need more development and time. Besides, both are considered more utility players than guys you want to start.
In terms of guys that are probably "ready" in a sense, there's Greyson Jenista, a former second-rounder in 2018 whose hit tool has just never really developed enough to let his power cook. He still plays plenty of outfield, but can play a decent first base. Former catcher, Drew Lugbauer, crushed the Southern League for 28 homers. But the bad news is, like Jenista, the hit tool just isn't there. It takes effort, in fact, to hit 28 homers and not have a better than .775 OPS. Slugbauer is a fan favorite, but probably not a major leaguer. Riley Delgado, taken in the same 2017 draft as Lugbauer, hit .272/.340/.329 last year for Mississippi, but is organizational infield depth at best.
What Else Is Out There?
Like with catcher, the Braves might dabble in the minor league free agent market, but that's probably it.
If you're curious for any bargain buys, there's Jesus Aguilar if you're hunting for a bench bat. If you're looking for more speed for the bench, the former Brave, Jace Peterson, could be an option. But truthfully, the Braves are more likely to target options for Gwinnett than anything.
Later this week, we look at the middle infield. I have a feeling there might be more of a free agent focus there.
Other Entries in This Series
The Rotation
The Bullpen
Catchers & Corner Infielders
Middle Infielders
Outfield & DH