The Atlanta Braves reportedly made a roster move Sunday, it just wasn’t the one that most fans are waiting on. The Braves reportedly agreed to a minor league deal with veteran infielder Pablo Sandoval that also includes an invite to big league spring training. Sandoval was a late addition to Atlanta’s roster in 2020 and was a part of the team’s postseason roster. He will have to earn a spot on the 40-man roster this time around, but could have a shot to stick as a bench player.
This agreement should serve as a reminder that spring training literally is right around the corner and we are going to start to hear of more veterans securing spring training invites. The Braves did not confirm the addition of Sandoval Sunday, but an official announcement of their spring training invites for 2021 should be coming soon.
Braves News
Earlier this week, The Athletic’s David O’Brien reported that the Braves had held conversations with free agent outfielder George Springer who recently agreed to a six-year, $150 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. ESPN’s Buster Olney clarified the Braves’ involvement with Springer in his Sunday Notes column saying that Atlanta wasn’t a toe to toe bidder with the Blue Jays or the Mets, but were more a safety net in case Springer decided that a shorter term deal would have been in his best interest. This shouldn’t be a surprise for anyone as the Braves have done similar deals with the likes of Josh Donaldson and Marcell Ozuna over the last two seasons.
Braves Podcasts
Grant McAuley is joined by Brian Jordan, Dale Murphy and Tom House to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Henry Aaron on the latest episode of From The Diamond.
MLB News
The Pittsburgh Pirates continued to dismantle their major league roster Sunday by trading right-hander Jameson Taillon to the New York Yankees in exchange for four prospects. Taillon appeared in just seven games during the 2019 season before undergoing Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2020 season.
Reports suggest that the Washington Nationals have an agreement with reliever Brad Hand on a one-year, $10.5 million deal.
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser reports that the Giants are looking for outfield help and that free agents Jackie Bradley Jr., and Eddie Rosario are two possibilities.