Report: Braves, veteran catcher Buck agree to minor-league deal
ATLANTA -- The Braves' search for a No. 3 backstop has apparently ended.
According to a published report from Braves.com, the club has reached terms (minor-league contract) with catcher John Buck -- an 11-year veteran who has logged nearly 1,100 MLB games with the Royals, Blue Jays, Marlins, Mets, Pirates, Mariners and Angels.
Buck, who has accounted for 134 homers (eight double-digit-HR seasons, 491 RBI, .234 batting average, .301 on-base percentage since debuting with Toronto in 2004), will start the 2015 campaign with Atlanta's Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett -- enabling the club to ride catchers Christian Bethancourt and 38-year-old backup A.J. Pierzynski in early April.
A one-time All-Star (2010 with the Blue Jays -- 20 homers, 66 RBI, .281 batting), Buck seemingly caps the Braves' spring-training plans among catchers.
Led by new personnel czar John Hart, the Braves have undergone substantial change in the offseason, trading away Jason Heyward (Cardinals), Justin Upton (Padres), Evan Gattis (Astros), Jordan Walden (Cardinals), Tommy La Stella (Cubs), Anthony Varvaro (Red Sox), David Carpenter (Yankees), Chasen Shreve (Yankees) and acquiring Shelby Miller (via trade) and Nick Markakis (free-agent acquisition), along with restocking the minor-league system with a bevy of well-regarded prospects.
The Braves launch full-squad workouts at the Walt Disney World complex (Lake Buena Vista, Fla.) on Feb. 25.
