Atlanta Braves Rumors: When will Vaughn Grissom be back?
Atlanta Braves slugging shortstop Vaughn Grissom was placed on the minor-league injured list this week with a hip injury. While updates to Kyle Wright, Michael Soroka and more surely overshadowed the Grissom news, it's still worth nothing since he's a potential postseason call-up.
Grissom is not on the Braves September roster, despite his impressive minor-league batting statistics. The problem for Grissom at the time of his injury was that Nicky Lopez -- a middle infielder Atlanta acquired at the trade deadline for his defensive ability -- was performing quite well at the plate. Since then, he's cooled off. Grissom is still just 22 years old, and if the Braves can find a spot for him on the bench as a potential pinch-hitter, then there could be room for him after all.
In an article just a few weeks ago, The Athletic's Dave O'Brien commented on Grissom's future with the Braves:
"For the Braves, Grissom has more value as a potential backup infielder or possibly challenger to Arcia again in the spring — though that seems unlikely given Arcia's performance as a lineup regular — than he has as a corner outfielder. And if the Braves have any inclination to trade him this winter, his value is going to be higher as a middle infielder coming off a strong offensive season in Triple A than as a player the Braves moved to the outfield to see what he might be able to do. That's especially since he's not played any there at all, and might struggle offensively while trying to make such a major midseason position change," O'Brien wrote.
Any position change, such as left field, would have to come in the spring. For now, Grissom still adds some value at second base and off the bench as a pinch hitter or pinch runner. But he has to get healthy first.
Atlanta Braves Rumors: A reunion in the works?
Just a few weeks ago, it looked as though Jorge Soler and the Miami Marlins were working on a contract extension. Soler has played well with the Marlins this season, perhaps even leading them to an NL Wild Card spot. The powerful slugger could have the opportunity to play spoiler in the NL postseason once again.
Soler is in the final year of his contract, as he opted into the final season on his deal prior to the 2023 campaign. That decision has paid off and then some, as he's likely earned a multiyear opportunity come this winter. As MLB Trade Rumors wrote, Soler could be one of the better bats available on the market when free agency does begin:
"Between his age and this year's production, Soler will have a case as one of the more appealing bats on a thin market. Given his proximity to free agency, it seems unlikely he'd take a substantial discount. The Marlins already outbid the field to sign Soler once, when signing him to his current contract, but it'd not yet clear if they'll be comfortable putting forth another market-value offer when Soler's stock is presumably higher than it was last time around," Steve Adams wrote.
A return to Atlanta, perhaps as a replacement for Marcell Ozuna if Alex Anthpoulos is able to sell high on the right-handed slugger, makes sense.
Atlanta Braves Rumors: Michael Soroka shut down, but what does it mean?
Atlanta is choosing the safe route with Michael Soroka, who suffered another serious arm injury last week. Soroka has unfortunately been on the wrong end of an oft-injured career. Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves front office has maintained faith that Soroka can play a role in their rotation when healthy, though it's unclear exactly when that good will can pay off.
"He's done for the year. It's not anything he's going to have time to come back from," manager Brian Snitker said. "He'll be shut down, and then he can kind of concentrate, when he gets ready, on his offseason program."
Soroka missed the better part of two years after recovering from major leg injuries and more. The former All-Star should avoid surgery this time around, which is good news for both him and the Braves.
"It's one of those things that just happens," Snitker said. "I think what he did after coming back and getting this far is pretty good. Credit to him and his work ethic and determination and everything that he's done to get this far, into September."
Without Soroka, expect Atlanta to lean on their existing rotation, as well as the return of Kyle Wright. Darius Vines and Jared Shuster should also have a next-man-up duty if called upon in September.
