One Braves Position Features “Just Guys”

FILE – Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann (16) bats against the Washington Nationals in the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, in Atlanta. (FILE – AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The Braves went from Best in the NL at one position to “Just Guys at the spot.” The problem is it happened in 2013!

When your starting catcher is 29 years old and already a 7-time All Star? Yes, you’re as good as it gets in the National League. Since McCann left:

Gattis

Gerald Laird

A.J.

Bethancourt. Before he was traded. And then became a pitcher.

Ryan Lararnway

Flowers

Anthony Recker

Suzuki

Chris Stewart

Renee Rivera

Carlos Perez

David Freitas

Alex Jackson

John Ryan Murphy

And, in a strange twist, the Braves still trying to replace McCann and turning in-part to McCann.

Just on its face: this is too many guys given an honest shot to take the job on a more or less full-time basis. That means no one really has, and we’re now entering Year 7 of this search. No bueno.

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