Javy's Back! .....maybe

Ladies, get ready to gawk at backup catchers once again, crowd favorite and heart throb Javy Lopez is back with the Braves and has a chance to be Brian McCann's backup next year. The details:

There was some speculation that Javy might be returning to the Braves. I don't know how effective he will be, but even in his declining years in Baltimore he kept his power number at a somewhat respectable level. The Orioles really dealt him a losing hand when they signed Ramon Hernandez to be their catcher, basically relegating Javy to other positions in the last year of his contract. He tried playing first base that year with very little success, so keep in mind he is strictly a catcher and bench bat. We'll have to see if his bat speed is good enough to come off the bench two or three times a week and still be effective at 37 years old.

We also find out the names of the other minor league free agents we signed. Competing with Javy Lopez and rookie Clint Sammons for the backup catching spot will be J.C. Boscan and the returning Corky Miller. Outfielder Joe Borchard, right-hander Jorge Campillo, and infielder Javier Guzman round out the signings with all players getting invites to spring training.

Campillo made one appearance on November 29th for Culiacan in the Mexican Pacific League this winter, going two innings allowing two hits, no runs, and striking out a batter. The switch hitting third baseman, Javier Guzman, is hitting .224/.245/.265 in 21 games (49 AB) in the Dominican this winter. He’s a real long shot to make the club.