As if it being Friday was not enough, the Braves had one last surprise for us to end the week. Fan favorite, Charlie Culberson, has signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training, the Braves announced on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1205623257656938503
Braves Country almost had a riot when the team decided to non-tender the super-utility man a couple of weeks ago, saving them probably $1.8 million at the time. It’s not yet known how much his new contract will pay him, but I’d assume it will be slightly less.
Charlie Clutch has earned his beloved status by being the ultimate glue guy that every winning team needs. He accepts his role as a Swiss Army knife off of the bench and has left the Braves faithful will a multitude of fond memories because of his late-game heroics.
Last year, Culberson hit .259 with a .731 OPS in 135 at-bats. Unfortunately, his season was cut short after a bunt attempt gone wrong, which ultimately ended in a fractured face. He was not available for the postseason.
Despite Culberson’s decent numbers as a whole, it’s understandable why the Braves are also looking for a bit of an upgrade to their bench. After a scorching hot start to 2019, he didn’t exactly light the world on fire from the middle of May until his injury, hitting just .194 with a .566 OPS in 103 at-bats. Culberson also was not a reliable option at shortstop, and the Braves feel like they need a better defensive option. With that said, having him back on board gives the team flexibility and depth they will surely need over a 162-game season.