Braves Camp Cuts: Who's Next to Make the Roster? 

The Atlanta Braves have made some significant moves recently, cutting Garrett Cooper and Conner Capel from their big league camp. This raises some intriguing questions about the team's depth and strategy as we approach the season.

Garrett Cooper, a former All-Star, has been a versatile player, but with the Braves now having 37 players left in camp, it seems the team is tightening its roster. What does this mean for the Braves' infield depth? If Matt Olson were to miss time, can the Braves rely on their current options, or should they look for external help?

On the other hand, Conner Capel's reassignment highlights the competition in the outfield. With his experience across multiple organizations, does he have the potential to be a valuable asset down the line? Or is he simply a depth piece for Gwinnett?

As we gear up for the season, what are your bold predictions for the Braves' roster? Will they make any surprise moves before Opening Day? How do you see the current cuts impacting the team's performance this season? Let's dive into the discussion!

The reassignment of Garrett Cooper and Conner Capel definitely signals the Braves are tightening their focus as Opening Day approaches. Let's break down what this could mean:

Infield Depth Without Garrett Cooper: Cooper provided versatility, having experience at first base and designated hitter. With him gone from big league camp, the immediate infield depth behind Matt Olson becomes a bit thinner. Currently, if Olson were to miss time, the Braves would likely turn to options like Orlando Arcia (who has played first base in a pinch), Charlie Culberson (a non-roster invitee with experience), or potentially even using a more versatile player like Eli White at first in an emergency. While they have options, a prolonged absence from Olson would test their depth, and they might indeed consider external help via a waiver claim or a trade if that scenario were to arise during the season.

Conner Capel's Reassignment and Outfield Depth: Capel, with his experience across multiple organizations (Cardinals, Athletics, Reds), represents a decent depth piece. His reassignment suggests that the Braves are likely set on their primary outfielders and bench outfielders heading into the season. Jarred Kelenic, Michael Harris II, Bryan De La Cruz, and Eli White seem to be the frontrunners for outfield roles, along with the eventual return of Ronald Acuña Jr. Capel likely serves as valuable Triple-A depth in Gwinnett. He's a player the Braves can call upon if injuries occur in the outfield, providing a relatively experienced option who can play multiple outfield positions.

Bold Roster Predictions Before Opening Day:

No major surprise additions via trade or free agency before Opening Day. I believe the Braves are largely set with the roster they have in camp and will focus on internal options and the return of injured players.
Eli White will make the Opening Day roster. His versatility, being able to play both infield and outfield, provides valuable flexibility for Brian Snitker off the bench.
One of the final bullpen spots will go to a non-roster invitee who has impressed throughout Spring Training, someone who offers a different look or fills a specific need the current projected bullpen might lack.
Impact of Current Cuts on Team Performance:

The cuts of Cooper and Capel at this stage likely won't have a major immediate impact on the team's performance, assuming the projected starters and key bench players remain healthy. They were likely on the fringes of making the roster. However, these moves highlight the importance of the players who did make the cut and the need for those players to stay healthy. The depth behind Olson in the infield is a potential area of concern if an injury occurs, and the Braves will need their current outfield options to perform consistently until Acuña Jr. returns.

Ultimately, the Braves seem to be prioritizing players with positional flexibility and those who they believe have the highest upside and fit within their team structure for the 2025 season. The performance of the players who remain in camp over the next few weeks will be crucial in solidifying the final roster.