Javy Retires

Can’t say I’m surprised. Javy Lopez has retired. After a weak arm in Spring, the former Braves catcher decided to hang up the cleats. He only hit .180 with 2 homers and 7 RBI’s. Only 6 hits in 22 at bats, so it looks like he might have made the right decision to retire. He really had nothing to play for, and there are others who could do a better job.

I don’t think Clint Sammons will be doing the backup catching for the Braves this year, as he really needs to have everyday job at Richmond. Even though it seems he won’t be good enough to become an everyday catcher, only a backup, I still think he needs to play everyday in the minors. He will make a good backup one day. Great arm, average bat. Exactly what you want in your backup catcher. Perhaps he could fill in this year barring injury.

Brayan Pena is another option. However, I think he is the worst option available for the Braves right now. Javy is better than he is. Pena has poor defensive skills, a bad arm, and the bat is not strong at all. Really, the only good thing I can see coming from him, is his versatility. He can play many infield spots. I expect him to be traded with another reliever that is out of options.

Corky Miller is a bad option to go with, but the most appealing at the moment. He’s not a power guy (7 hrs, 30 RBIs career). He won’t have the best defense, and he’s not going to throw runners out, but if Clint Sammons is going to play in the minors, then you might as well go with him because Brayan Pena is definitely your worst option.

There are two other options laying on the table, as they always are. The Braves can trade or sign a free agent for their backup catcher. There’s not much in either one. You could expect the Braves to trade one of their out of options pitchers, like Royce Ring or Blaine Boyer, for a backup catcher. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Braves trade Tyler Yates either. Perhaps a Yates, Pena, and Ring package could land the Braves a backup catcher and a low prospect? Who knows. We’ll just have to play wait and see to find out.