The Braves, who added Ryan Howard on a minor league deal yesterday, have also had some discussions about signing veteran Ryan Raburn, tweets ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick.
Atlanta is seeking bench upgrades, Crasnick notes, and Raburn would give the club a corner outfield option with a long history of mashing left-handed pitching. A former infielder, Raburn hasn’t played any second base since 2013 or any third base since 2011, though the Rockies did use him briefly (23 innings) at first base last season. He’s a career .261/.341/.487 hitter against left-handed opponents.
The 35-year-old Raburn (36 next weekend) struggled through a poor 2016 campaign despite playing most of his games in the hitter-friendly Coors Field. In 256 plate appearances, the veteran slashed just .220/.309/.404 with nine home runs. Though his average against lefties was lower than usual (.229), Raburn still got on base (.356) and showed plenty of pop (.479 slugging, .250 ISO) against left-handed opponents though.
For the Braves, Raburn could serve to occasionally spell Nick Markakis in right field when opponents throw a left-handed starter. He could also serve as a late pinch-hitting option and see occasional time at first base in the event that Freddie Freeman needs a breather. As it stands, Anthony Recker is the only member of the Braves’ bench that has ever made even one appearance at first base, and his experience there is limited to a minuscule total of 18 Major League innings.
Wow…at quick glance I thought this said “Braves Considering Ryan Braun.” Time to go home for the weekend lol
Our bullpen is not what the experts thought they would be. I see two out there that are keepers and one of those will probably get traded when the trade deadline occurs.
He can’t field. It’s no secret.
Shhhhhh. That’s really rude.
Great. Maybe they will manage to win 60 games now!
It’s not the starting pitchers this time
They’ve done that the last two years. The goal now is to be over .500
Or orrrr we can just bring Adam walker up
Atlanta needs a right hand hitting OF who can spell Inciarte once in a while.
Braves need to immediately sign Pagan to help this offense.
Raburn signed with White Sox sent to Charlotte
I thought the Braves were going after Desmond Jennings, when he got release from the Reds!
Should have he signed for MiLB minimum. Who would be better 37 year old first base/DH for 750K or 30 year old centerfielder for 500K. Braves management makes 1-4 decisions instead of 4-1 decisions.