The Braves announced they’ve signed outfielder Abraham Almonte to a non-guaranteed major league contract. Additionally, pitchers Mike Soroka, Jeremy Walker and Phil Pfeifer have been reinstated from the 60-day injured list, while utilityman Charlie Culberson cleared outright waivers and elected free agency.
Almonte will make $990K if he makes the team, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today (Twitter link). The 31-year-old only has only amassed 51 MLB plate appearances over the past two seasons, but he’s evidently done enough to catch the attention of the Atlanta front office. The switch-hitter mashed in Triple-A (albeit in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League) in 2019 and is capable of playing all three outfield positions. He has a .237/.298/.370 line over parts of parts of eight big league seasons.
Culberson emerged as a fan favorite in Atlanta over the past few years, but he was limited to just seven plate appearances in 2020. The 31-year-old is likely looking at a minor-league pact this offseason.
Wow
I’ve actually never heard of a non-guaranteed major league contract before
I haven’t either. Thought it was minor or major league deal
A “split contract” that puts him on the 40 but only guarantees a lower amount if he’s not on the active roster? Come to think of it, aren’t many contracts not guaranteed? Unless a player has signed a guaranteed contract, he can be released during spring training and only receive 30 or 45 days of termination pay. It’s usually for guys who are tendered a contract or are tendered and get an arbitration salary and the team doesn’t want to pay them. It occasionally happens for guys who sign free agent contracts as well. m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/non-guaranteed-con…
I think a lot of us are confused at what this contract is.
m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/non-guaranteed-con….
“Clubs can also sign players to non-guaranteed contracts but still place them on the 40-man roster. Those contracts become guaranteed upon the player making the Major League roster out of Spring Training, but he may also be cut prior to Opening Day.”
So if you want to argue that it’s a major league contract than it is in title only. It’s little more than a spring training invite.
who the hell is that
Seriously how does this man still get major league contracts?
2 WAR is about 1100 AB’s…that’s probably why
Eh, half of that came in one season. In the past four years, he has been worth a combined 0.3 WAR. That’s not major league caliber.
I watched him for several years in CLE, and the guy is nothing more than roster filler. Ok glove, ok speed, but you’re not gonna get much offensively. I would classify Almonte as a poor man’s Robbie Grossman, if you can imagine that.
Yeah, I agree with this. I don’t know why he got a major league deal though. He seems like the kind of player who gets a minors deal and then gets called up if somebody gets injured.
oooooooooohk
Why? They have Pache. Waters should be ready too. Cut O Day from his peanuts contract then this MEH signing. Just what the Braves needed a 31 year old outfielder???
Minor league depth? It’s obviously not a major league contract. Why even question moves like this? Every team does them.
But it is a major league contract
It’s not guaranteed. They still need bench players
it says it is so…
Bench role. Jeez.
Cheap outfielder they can stick on the roster the first few weeks so they can keep Pache & Waters down until they get an extra year of team control and then release.
They’ll hold Waters down to manipulate his service time. This is just depth in case someone gets hurt, or maybe in the event someone opts out. He won’t be on the ML roster unless something has gone off the rails.
I disagree with cutting O’Day, but this doesn’t bug me.
Whoa look out… Hot Stove is heating up!!!
Also, who is this guy???
Trust me, you don’t wanna know
Non-guaranteed MLB deal. Why not just a MiLB deal?
This is so the Braves can’t stash him in the minors. He makes the team iron is released so he can try to sign with someone else
heck is a non-guaranteed MLB deal?
This must mean the Braves are re-signing Ozuna.
This was a joke, btw.
So basically a NRI
with the exception he has to be added to the 40 man until released
Who???
No truth to the rumors that Kevin Pfeifer is related to Paul Pfeifer from the Wonder Years, who may or may not have been Marilyn Manson the singer.
A few of us have obviously never heard of a major league non-guarnteed contract. Anyone care to elaborate?
Apparently, it’s a split contract where he will get a certain amount of money if he’s on the Major League roster before a set amount of days. For example, a player could get $1M if they make the major leagues in thirty days before the season starts. If they don’t make the majors before those thirty days, then they can elect free agency.
Lol dude sucks. If it’s a major league contract thens guaranteed. This isn’t the nfl
Why tie up a 40-man slot? Why not just a NRI?
Bit of an odd move by the Braves with almonte… it’s low risk, I understand that. But he’s terrible… no pop, not exactly hitting for avg or obp … soooo what’s the value? No like there is upside. It’s kinda like a “low risk, no reward” move… meaning it’s just a waste of cash no matter how “little” it may be IF he ends up getting it.
Early dumpster diving !!! imagine the winter meetings…….. if allowed by Covid.
2020 in a nutshell, extreme oddity here.