Atlanta Braves News
Braves reportedly among teams interested in Seattle closer Edwin Diaz
Atlanta has reportedly had a number of conversations on the trade front so it makes sense that they would check in with the Mariners about the availability of closer Edwin Diaz. Seattle hasn’t publicly committed to moving Diaz but if they decide to go in that direction he would make a lot of sense for a team like Atlanta.
Ray-Patrick Didder among Baseball America’s top 5 Rule-5 Draft targets
The Braves elected to not place utility man Ray-Patrick Didder on the 40-man roster and thus will expose him in the Rule 5 Draft. Baseball America lists Didder among five players who are candidates to be taken thanks to his versatility.
Didder is a backup, but he’s a very versatile backup. Everyone got to watch him play second, third and shortstop in the Arizona Fall League, and he’s shown in the past that he can be an above-average center fielder. Didder is a plus runner with a plus arm, excellent versatility and an ability to help as a pinch runner, utility infielder/outfielder and a low-impact pinch hitter who makes contact but doesn’t have much power. He has a lower ceiling than what many teams look for in a Rule 5 pick, but he can help a big league team in 2019, which is something many Rule 5 candidates can’t say.
MLB News
Using projections to help find Rule 5 standouts
Beyond the Box Score looks for standouts in the Rule 5 pool by taking a look at some early projections.
Shohei Ohtani says right elbow surgery was ‘necessary,’ reflects on rookie year
Shohei Ohtani recently met with the media and reflected on his rookie season and the decision to undergo Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow.
“I’m glad I had the surgery,” Ohtani said. “Of course, there was some reluctance over whether to have it, but considering the long term I decided it was necessary.”