Braves Re-Sign Jose Azocar To Minor League Deal

Jose Azocar re-signed with the Braves on a minor league deal and was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett. He is in the lineup batting seventh and playing left field. Atlanta values him as a potential bench or depth option, especially since he is out of options and has been repeatedly moved on and off the roster. This year he was selected to the roster twice, designated for assignment, cleared waivers, elected free agency, and re-signed on new minor league deals. The Braves gain outfield depth with a speed-and-defense profile, including strong Statcast sprint speed and good defensive grades across multiple positions. His offense has been limited, with a small-sample batting line this year and a modest career slash line, but he can cover for injuries and provide roster flexibility.

"The Braves have re-signed outfielder Jose Azocar to a minor league deal, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. He has been assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett. He is in tonight's lineup, batting seventh and playing left field."

"Since he is out of options, he has been repeatedly shuffled on and off the roster this year. The two sides agreed to a minor league deal in the offseason. Twice this year, he has been selected to the roster and been designated for assignment shortly thereafter. In both cases, he cleared waivers, elected free agency and then re-signed on a new minor league deal."

"For the club, they effectively get an extra roster spot for added outfield depth, with Azocar giving them a speed-and-defense guy. He has 83rd percentile sprint speed this year, per Statcast, and has been even higher in previous seasons. He has received strong grades for his glovework at all three positions."

"For Azocar, it's probably not his preference to be riding this transactions carousel, but at least he has a job and has gotten some sporadic big league pay and service time. Based on the fact that he has cleared waivers multiple times this season, no other club is willing to give him a roster spot, so it's not as though he has significantly better opportunities elsewhere. He'll rejoin the Stripers to get reps as he waits for the call back to the big leagues."

Read at MLB Trade Rumors