The Braves have signed outfielder Peter Bourjos to a major league deal worth $1MM, MLBTR’s Steve Adams reports. Bourjos is a client of Dishman Sports Group.
It wasn’t a long stay on the open market for Bourjos, whom the Cubs released Friday after an unsuccessful bid to make their roster. Bourjos joined the Cubs in February on a minors deal, which came after he spent 2017 with the Rays and batted .223/.272/.383 with five homers and five steals in 203 plate appearances. Long a well-regarded defender, the 30-year-old Bourjos racked up six Defensive Runs Saved and a 1.2 Ultimate Zone Rating in 476 innings divided among all three outfield spots last season.
Although Bourjos’ offensive production has dropped off since his best season – 2011 – when he hit .271/.327/.438 in 552 PAs with the Angels, the righty-swinger was a useful option against lefties last year (.260/.310/.442). If that continues, he could be a factor as a reserve in Atlanta, which features a lefty-heavy outfield (depth chart). Of course, righty-hitting, all-world prospect Ronald Acuna should debut soon, which could impact Bourjos’ playing time.
Sam.rhodes16
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Braves Homer
Ahhh geez can very first comment no longer be ‘Why’? And then the second comment be ‘Why Not’?
Who cares?!…it’s not our money
Daver520
xabial
I agree, Braves Homer but this is a minuscule transaction. Many didn’t even expect ML pact.
It only gets annoying for blockbuster transaction threads like future: “Team X Signs Holland” thread coming soon to a MLBTR thread near you 😉
arp7241
I thought you were replaced by Blooper?
jonnyj
Why??? He is awful
xabial
He was batting above .300 in ST before being released by the Cubs, steals bases, and plays good D.
He turns 31, March 31
Jockstrapper
Can’t hit. Has no power. Defensive metrics were average last year.
petfoodfella
You don’t really have a lot of depth guys who are hitting .350 w/ 45 bombs a year.
PopeMarley
This guy is the epitome of that word you called Wade “Scrub”. You seem to think Spring Training means something for some but not all jonnyj and radiohead801 are right. The guy the other day was correct “paragraph after paragraph with nothing to add”.
xabial
Just one of these days, I wish I could comment without getting attacked..:o
You don’t have to like me. Pass over my posts. Nobody else took exception to it, but you.
Stick to Peter Bourjos. Almost all your responses to my posts are irrelevant to the thread, silly grudges.
xabial
I admitted I was wrong about Tyler Wade 100% — (10th post from the top) mlbtraderumors.com/2018/03/yankees-notes-salazar-d…
I can’t wait until you bring it up again next time.
jdgoat
What’s up with that guy. So rude
Michael Chaney
Spring training stats don’t mean anything or else Giovanny Urshela would be the Indians’ best hitter the past few years
brucenewton
Cheap insurance for a rebuilding team.
Phillies2017
This was necessary for the Braves
So, my guess is that he and Preston Tucker get most of the AB’s in Left, while one of Lane Adams or Ezequiel Carrera serve as a 5th OF.
Good moves today for the Braves- the bench really needed some more depth, and both players fit the mold.
baseball10
The Phillies guy saying good moves for the Braves just shows how bad these moves really are
xabial
Naa.. This ‘Phillies guy’ is one of the most well-rounded fans here. Phillies fans in general here, seem very smart.
SoCalBrave
Phillies2017 might be, but most Phillies fans here were saying that signing Arrieta was going to make them compete with the Nats for the division.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
What’s wrong with that. Everyone within 100miles of Citi field that’s a Mets fan thought they were gonna make the playoffs every year with their rotation. They also thought David Wright was the real deal. 3 years into signing his extension he’s pretty much out of baseball and the Mets are off the hook for the rest of the contract besides the 8 mil $ buyout.
Don’t sleep on the Phillies. After Harper akdn Zimmerman and maybe trey Turner. The nats lineup is far between anyone elite. Rendon and Murphy are overrated. Adam Eaton is injury prone.
Arrieta makes them wild spot contenders.
.
Phillies2017
Thank you, that is much appreciated! I enjoy reading your comments on here as well.
Zach725
Carrera/Santana and Lane get DFAed when Acuna comes up.
Bench has Culberson, Bourjos, Suzuki/Flowers, and Carrera/Santana.
roberty
Giving Bourjos and Flaherty major league deals is kinda weird, but I think it shows the front office isn’t confident in Lane Adams or Culberson. Adding some defense to the bench can’t be a bad thing.
KCelts
Also they could be flipped at the trade deadline too. Maybe not for much, but maybe some type of prospect or something.
under raited
MLB contract?!?!?
baseball10
These are absolutely awful deals. Bourjos is absolutely awful. He cant steal bases, he cant hit for average, he has no power whatsoever. Two good things about him is he can play decent defense and can bunt. I guess that gets you on rosters these days
petfoodfella
Well, maybe a situation comes up where they need to have a bunt, and he gets it done. It’s a depth move. it’s not like there’s loads of options for depth at a decent price.
It’s like every signing has to be a Machado or a Harper.
roadapple
Welcome to the Anthopolous era.
petfoodfella
It’s a good era. You know you’re doing something right when the spend it all idiots on MLBtr disagree w/ you.
bravesfan
Another situation where id rather see young guys compete. No one loves young guys competing for bench spots, but where do u think most bench depth develops from?
RunDMC
Future pieces like Dustin Peterson need reg ABs and can’t get that riding the bench.
funkmasta198
No one loves young guys rotting on the bench either getting 5 at bats a week, when they can be getting better playing everyday in the minors. Having depth with flaherty and bourjos is a good move in my book. But I’m not a braves fan… maybe you think every signing needs to be a guy who’s coming in to win the mvp
bravesfan
There are young guys in our minors that aren’t high end mvp type candidates that can fill in as bench roles, no problem. I’m talking guys that aren’t our future really but aren’t bad at all. Need to start creating a different culture from best player to worse. Stop bringing in worthless guys who have had relatively unsuccessful careers. Just don’t bring in anyone. Use guys that are dying for that mlb taste. As for funkmasta .. ur comment ended in flat ignorance. Taking a shot at someone with no merits or reasoning is a lack of any intelligence.
breakfastclub1786
Make no doubt about Acuna and Inciarte are everyday outfielders. Lane needs help fielding the ball out there. Someones going back to the minors .
breakfastclub1786
or Tucker (forgot about him)
RunDMC
Forget about Tucker? Why? Sure he has some defensive limitations but he’s been the most consistent hitter in ST not named Acuña and has limited successful MLB experience. Not saying he’s a future piece, but he deserves ABs to give him a chance and he could turn into a nice trade piece, who knows?
noraj9
He forgot to mention Tucker. He didn’t say forget Tuck.
41em
Unfortunately the Braves seem to be determined to stock up on poor hitting for their bench. The one thing Culberson, Flaherty and Bourjos have in common are a career ops under .700. This, of course, complements their poor hitting starting lineup. The Braves remain obsessed with pitching and defense while forgetting you also have to score more runs than your opponent. I am really disappointed in how they are putting together their 2018 team.
noraj9
Who do you want them to replace right now? Tuck is a place holder for a couple weeks, they’re hoping Albies and Swanson will develop into studs. Freeman and Inciarte are staying put. There’s no current, easy to get, better option than Flowers and Zuki behind the dish. We aren’t competing this year and there will be a multitude of good free agents next year. We’ve known for years ’19 was the target.
letsplay2
Can he pitch ?
themed
Good sign. This guys getting ready to take off. The cubs are going to regret losing this guy.
chesteraarthur
When your team is at home during the playoffs, perhaps you will use that time to think of wittier ways to troll.
michaelw
That’s Themed the jelouse Card fan who still trying to get over 2015. Just ignore him he thinks the Cubs will miss everyone lol
michaelw
Themed the jelouse troll makes another stupid comment as always. Too bad there’s no room for him on our roster shows our dept. you’re trash Cards keep missing on good players. That’s why they be a 3rd place team again. Bahhh
michaelw
Yeah 223 BA 0.4 war. We will sure miss him. Got love the jelouse Troll Card fans lol
xabial
Bourjos had 0.1 WAR Fangraphs, and 0.6 WAR bbref
How’d you get 0.4? Averaging both? (.35) because that’d be smart Lol, I never thought of doing that. I wish they both agreed how calculate WAR, but seems Fangraphs’ usually the harder evaluator of players whereas bbref is more player-friendly, but there are exceptions^
Anyway, I agree he’s trolling the Cubs, but curious how you got 0.4. Thanks, michaelw
brucewayne
Speaking of troll fans! Step up to the plate MW! Biggest Cub troll fan
mike127
Yep. Braves also signed Ryan Flaherty. Looking back on it, pretty sure the Cubs didn’t regret losing him. Things worked out OK.
elmore80
Look out Marlins! The Braves are coming down to meet you. AA is a genius.
Begamin
Ah the Braves going all in i see. WS winners for the years 2018-2024 with Bourjos at the helm
bravesfan
Too many bad baseball players the braves have been signing in recent days
Syndergaarden Cop
Imagine you could be a scrub, be called upon to perform sparingly, and make $1 million for for “working” for 6 months.