Earlier today, our roundtable topic of discussion focused on the Atlanta Braves and the status of their pitching battery come 2016. Now, there's a new factor to add into that interesting discussion, as the Braves have gone out and signed 32-year old pitcher Alexi Ogando on a minor-league deal.
#Braves agree to terms on minor league contract w/ RHP Alexi Ogando (3.44 career ERA in 247 games) w/ invitation to attend Spring Training
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) December 23, 2015
Ogando spent last season with the Boston Red Sox, which is where he made 64 appearances as a reliever and compiled an ERA of 3.99 and a FIP of 5.32 with an xFIP of 4.54 over 65.1 innings. Although he did spend some time as a starter during his time with the Texas Rangers, you can probably bet on Ogando being brought in to potentially serve as veteran help for the bullpen.
Of course, there's also the very distinct possibility that -- like most of the players that the Braves have brought in on short-term deals this offseason and last offseason as well -- this is just a precursor to the Braves potentially trading Ogando to a real contender at some point during the season, if all goes well for the righty during his stint here. The Braves employed this strategy on multiple occasions last season, and Ogando is probably going to be a prime candidate for this type of transaction should he end up joining the major league squad out of Sping Training.
Whether they decide to keep him as bullpen depth or trade him, this isn't the worst move in the world for the Braves to make, and just serves as another example of the team shrewdly finding ways to build up their assets. For now, we'll leave you with this interesting side note:
Ogando has quite a backstory. Rule 5 pick by #Rangers from Athletics?src=hash">#Athletics, converted OF to P. Part of a marriage-for-visa scam in 2004. #Braves
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) December 23, 2015