‘El Conde’ Antilleno arrives at the Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves they have claimed the Cuban gardener Guillermo Heredia of the waivers of the New York Metsreported journalist Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. New York had designated the 30-year veteran for an assignment over the weekend (February 21). By claiming Heredia, the Braves will be held liable for the entire $ 1MM salary they had previously agreed to to avoid an arbitration hearing with the Mets.

Heredia has spent part of the last five seasons in the major leagues, primarily with the Mariners. Seattle traded him to Tampa Bay for the 2019 season, after which he was not tendered and subsequently signed with the Pirates. The Mets claimed Heredia off the waivers in August after a lackluster performance in Pittsburgh, and he went on to appear in seven games before the end of the season.

Overall, ‘El Conde’ Heredia cut just .212 / .278 / .394 in 36 plate appearances between the two clubs. It was a small taste, to be sure, but Heredia’s previous work in the majors doesn’t give much more reason for optimism at the plate. He’s a .239 / .316 / .344 career hitter in 1,137 plate appearances on those four teams.

However, Heredia is able to play all three field positions, has one Minor League option left and has a respectable line against left-handed pitchers: .274 / .337 / .397. His right bat will give the Braves some depth and a possible bench bat, although his skill set is somewhat similar to the recent Phil Ervin waiver claim.

With Marcell Ozuna, Ronald Acuña Jr., Cristian Pache and Ender Inciarte ahead of him on the depth chart, he seems more likely to get a play by Triple-A Gwinnett to start the season than by Atlanta’s 26-man roster.

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