LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Last month, Craig Kimbrel joked that with so many changes to the Braves' roster, they should wear T-shirts this spring with name tags that say "Hello, My Name Is ..."
Saturday, that came to fruition as players entered the clubhouse to find those shirts sitting in their lockers, courtesy of the All-Star closer.
Given the options at second base, which includes six players who weren't on Atlanta's Opening Day 2014 roster, manager Fredi Gonzalez may need them in those shirts as he gets to know the candidates.
"It think it's wide-open," he said. "It really is."
That wasn't the gameplan when the Braves signed Alberto Callaspo in December to a one-year, $3 million contract. The 31-year-old would man the position until Jose Peraza, co-winner of the team's Minor League Player of the Year award last season, had seen enough time on the farm to take the job.
But then Atlanta acquired Jace Peterson in the deal that sent Justin Upton to the Padres and they brought back veteran Kelly Johnson on a minor-league, as well as Eric Young Jr., who has primarily been an outfielder, but has also seen time at second.
There's also Phil Gosselin, who ended 2014 on the major league roster and played 26 games at the position.
"It's a great opportunity for me and a lot of other guys too," said Gosselin. "A lot of turnovers, guys that haven't proven themselves at the major league level, like myself, getting a chance to do that."
It's an intriguing position battle with pieces that figure to have broader impacts, as Callaspo could be used at third base to spell Chris Johnson if he continues to struggle against right-handed pitching, and Young should see more time in the outfield with Melvin Upton Jr. out until at least mid-April with a foot injury.
"It all just depends on how we want to work second base, the infield, and even the bench," Gonzalez said. "Because I think that position could affect how you want to use your bench."
Especially if left fielder Nick Markakis isn't ready for the start of the season as he works his way back from neck surgery.
While second base seems destined for a platoon to start the year, the problem there is all the options with major league experience have fared better against lefties.
Gosselin, a right-hander, has stats that are the strongest against righties at .291/.361/.327, but it's a small sample size at 82 plate appearances, while switch hitter Callaspo has the best numbers against righties (.253/.272/.316), those are only marginally better than the others.
"I think there's so many different dynamics," Gonzalez said. "There's a lot of stuff going on. What do you want to do with the club? Do you want to go left/right (platoon)? Do you want to give Callaspo the job? Do you want to go Gosselin/Callaspo? Gosselin/Peterson? Gosselin/Peraza? Peraza -- hmph -- put Peraza in there?"
This figures to be Peraza's job eventually, but whenever Gonzalez brings up the heralded prospect, he does so in a joking matter.
The Braves haven't been shy about breaking camp with a rookie on the 25-man roster -- that includes Tyler Pastornicky in 2012 and Evan Gattis in '13 -- but just 20 years old, Pereza has played only 20 games above the Single-A level.
While the expectation is he'll get plenty of looks during the Grapefruit League season, Peraza will likely need more seasoning.
Peterson may be the most physically impressive option, with the former college football defensive back at 6-foot, 210 pounds. The right-hander has a short, compact swing that doesn't produce much in the power department -- he had 14 home runs in 389 minor league games -- but he gets on base (.381 OBP) but has 148 steals the last four seasons.
Last season at Triple-A El Paso, Peterson hit .326/.407/.522 against lefties and vs. righties was .302/.406/.450 with 24 extra-base hits, including 18 doubles. He was limited to just 58 plate appearances in 27 games with the Padres in '14.
"I know what I can do," Peterson said. "I know what kind of player I am. I know what I've always done my whole career and my whole life. I am just looking forward to this year and trying to show what I can do."
No matter which direction the Braves go in, they will, for the first time since 2010, when they began with Martin Prado at second base, have versatility at second base.
Dan Uggla, who has never played any other position in his career, got the start in each of the last four Opening Days. But Callaspo also plays third base; Gosselin has seen time at third and shortstop; Johnson has been at third and left field; Peterson is also a third baseman and Young, as mentioned previously, is ultimately an outfielder.
"It's nice to have a lot of guys that can do different things," Gosselin said. "It's good for Fredi when he's making up that lineup, guys that can come off the bench and pinch hit or pinch run for somebody, guys that can bounce around. I think it's going to be valuable for the team moving forward."
So too, is getting used to playing alongside Andrelton Simmons. Asked if the magician of a shortstop, who has a pair of Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove to his credit in his first two full seasons, would need extra work to get accustomed to playing with a new double-play partner, Gonzalez didn't miss a beat.
"That second baseman's got to get used to Andrelton, not the other day around," Gonzalez said. "Whoever that guy is, we'll get (them some work together) and he'll be fine."
Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney
