The Atlanta Braves’ offseason shuffle continues, and one of the casualties of their evolving roster construction is utility man Vidal Bruján. After a brief stint in Atlanta, the 25-year-old switch-hitter is heading north, claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins. It’s a sudden turn in a stretch of unexpected moves, as the Braves clear the deck to make room for other acquisitions, including left-handed pitcher Ken Waldichuk, who, as irony would have it, isn’t even in Atlanta anymore.
Bruján Out, Waldichuk In Then Out Again
This chain of transactions reveals just how ruthless and fluid front office decisions can be in January. Bruján, a former top prospect once seen as a potential Swiss Army knife for a bench or platoon role, signed a split contract in November. That type of deal gave the Braves some payroll flexibility and perhaps some illusion of security for the player. But as the dominoes fell, that flexibility turned into an exit. Bruján was jettisoned to make way for Waldichuk, who was shipped out just days later in a trade to the Rays alongside Brett Wisely, yet another depth infielder whose time in Atlanta was cut short by the roster crunch.
In his short time with the Braves, Bruján put up respectable numbers. Over 23 games, he slashed .268 with a .362 OBP, drawing attention not for his pop, he had just two doubles, but for his ability to get on base and potentially be a speed threat. But the Braves’ needs were elsewhere. Outfield depth has since expanded with the addition of Mike Yastrzemski, while versatile pieces like Mauricio Dubon and the newly re-signed Ha-Seong Kim offer far more defensive and positional flexibility.
Depth Chart Closes In on Utility Players
And the emergence of young infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. only intensified the squeeze. Alvarez’s ability to play anywhere in the infield except first base, which remains securely in Matt Olson’s hands, meant the Braves had in-house solutions that made Bruján and Wisely expendable. If they needed another plug-and-play name, Eli White could step in before either of them.
So, Bruján’s fate is a byproduct of two things: Atlanta’s depth chart tightening and the front office moving faster than expected. These are the kinds of decisions that usually come at the end of Spring Training, once rosters shake out and injury reports begin to clarify roles. Instead, Atlanta chose decisiveness in mid-January. They moved quickly, making tough calls early to streamline what has become an increasingly competitive roster.
Eyes Still on the Braves Rotation
Meanwhile, the Braves did re-sign Tyler Kinley to a one-year deal with a club option, shoring up the bullpen as the team tries to build an elite supporting cast. But the glaring need that remains? A reliable starting pitcher. Names have swirled, some big, some modest, but the Braves have yet to pull the trigger. Until they do, the rotation remains unfinished business.
