Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Emilio Bonifacio Signing, Todd Frazier Rumor
Bonifacio rejoins Braves on Minor League deal
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: In a minor move that you may have missed, Braves resigned Emilio Bonifacio to a minor league contract. This will not affect the Braves 40-man roster. This signing really just adds depth to the ball club in case of injury. Bonifacio is a 10-year veteran of the MLB and has previous experience with the Braves as he played in our organization in 2014 and 2016. He will be in his 32-year-old season in 2017, but he hasn’t showed signs of slowing down. In 2016 with the Gwinnett Braves, he had 37 stolen bases. From what I’m seeing about Mallex Smith, it looks like the top of Gwinnett’s lineup will be Smith and Bonifacio. Teams better watch out on the bases with these two! Bonifacio can play second base, left field, right field or center.
It is now accurate to say Emilio Bonifacio has agreed to return to the Braves for the third time within the past 366 days. The veteran utility man can only hope this reunion does not prove to be as odd as the one he experienced this past season.
A source with knowledge of the negotiations revealed that Bonifacio agreed to a one-year, Minor League deal with the Braves on Friday. This agreement, which has not been confirmed by the club, was made on the anniversary of Atlanta providing him a one-year, $1.25 million Major League contract that led to disappointment when he was designated for assignment on the final day of Spring Training.
Todd Frazier Play in 2017?” href=”http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/where-will-todd-frazier-play-in-2017/” rel=”bookmark”>Where Will Todd Frazier Play in 2017?
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Isn’t the MLB offseason fun?!? The rumor mill just continues to turn. We’ve heard many rumors of what the Braves are doing or will do. Many of these speculations haven’t came true, but this one may have legs. Todd Frazier could fit into the Braves lineup perfectly and I don’t think it would take too much to acquire him. Could be swapping Adonis Garcia and another prospect since 2017 will be Frazier’s final year of arbitration. White Sox could be looking for just about anything in return to add to their (now) deep prospect list. I think this move would only work if Frazier would agree to an extension from Braves GM John Coppolella. If not (and this could be why nothing has happened already), the Braves don’t do this.
The term “fire sale” is a bit cliché, but it’s undeniable that there is an “everything must go” sense of urgency to what the White Sox are currently doing. Which means it remains likely that Jose Quintana’s days in the South Side are likely numbered and first baseman Jose Abreu may soon be out there door. If you’re placing odds on White Sox players likely to be traded in the near future, however, none will have higher odds than third baseman Todd Frazier.
The power-hitting Frazier is entering his final year of arbitration and will be 31 years old when Opening Day rolls around. According to the arbitration projections run by Matt Swartz at MLB Trade Rumors, Frazier is likely to command a salary next year in the ballpark of $13.5 million. Over the past three seasons, Frazier has hit 104 homers – a figure that is second only to Josh Donaldson’s 107 among major-league third basemen. His ISO (isolated power) since 2015 is .241, or just a shade above Kris Bryant’s .238 ISO. Securing the services of a player with that kind of pop to man the hot corner on a one-year, $13.5 million contract would be an absolute coup in the free-agent market, but will the White Sox be able to convert that into a decent return in the trade market?
THE LINEUP Newsmakers
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Does the name Ronald Acuna not ring a bell? Get to know it because this kid is coming! The 18-year-old from La Guaira, Venezuela is currently playing in the Australian Baseball League and playing well. The Braves signed him as a 16 year-old in 2014 out of Venezuela and he just continues to impress in every spot he plays. Quick hits on Acuna – centerfielder, speed is ridiculous, bats and throws right, 6’0″ 180 but has the built to grow. In 2016, he made his way up to the Rome Braves where he played the majority of the year. It’s going to be fun watching this kid grow in our organization, but he’s probably at least two years away from time in Atlanta so get out to your closest minor league ball field to watch him play!
Ronald Acuna, rf, Braves. Acuna, the Braves’ newly minted No. 6 prospect, is playing for Melbourne in Australia and showing well. Acuna, who missed mid-May to mid-August because of a broken thumb, is making up for lost time. He had two hits Friday in a 5-1 win over Canberra. Acuna is slashing .351/.393/.544 in 57 at-bats.
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