The Atlanta Braves have some tough decisions to make ahead of the September roster deadline.
The September roster rules are confusing for those unfamiliar. While MLB previously allowed teams to carry 40 players on the active roster after Sept. 1, that has since changed as of last season. MLB.com offers a relatively simply explanation:
"The hard cap at 28 is an important distinction from Septembers of old. Previously, clubs could call up any member of the 40-man roster for the month. That is no longer the case, though even a boost of two extra players should be helpful for the stretch run."
For a contending team like Atlanta, those extra two players could very well determine whether they can hold off the Los Angeles Dodgers for homefield advantage. Alex Anthopoulos is one of the best front-office executives in baseball, but even he makes mistakes. Now just a few days away from Sept. 1, it looks like these three players will be on the active roster once the month begins. Perhaps Atlanta will have to learn the hard way.
Braves who shouldn't be on September roster: Darius Vines
Darius Vines is a tremendous story, as he's set to make his MLB debut at 25 years old. However, the issue here is who Vines is keeping down at the minor-league level. Atlanta has trotted out at least 12 starting pitchers this season amid injuries to Max Fried and Kyle Wright. While both will soon be back, it's become clear that Michael Soroka is the most MLB-ready pitcher in their system. Yet, Anthopoulos continues to keep the former All-Star down in the minors for service time manipulation. FanSided's John Buhler explained this factor a few weeks back:
"It may be a tad sneaky, and borderline unethical, but that is baseball for you. Where things currently stand with Soroka, he is arbitration eligible for 2024 and will be hitting unrestricted free agency in 2025. Obviously, the Braves want to extend that as a long as possible. He last pitched for the Braves on July 21 in a 6-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. When will he return next?...So with about roughly 20 days left before he gets five full years of MLB service, look for Soroka to be recalled to the big-league roster one last time in mid-September by the time rosters expand."
Soroka should make the roster come mid September, but he won't be on the 28-man unit come Sept. 1 for a reason, and that reason is greed.
Braves who shouldn't be on September roster: Luke Williams
Atlanta claimed Luke Williams from the Los Angeles Dodgers in June. The Braves one weakness beyond their starting rotation is outfield depth, so it should come as no surprise they've tried several options in the corner outfield spots in particular.
Anthopoulos took a flyer on Williams, and it hasn't worked out according to plan. At the time of the move, MLB Trade Rumors laid out what Braves fans should expect from Williams:
"That type of production generally aligns with his previous seasons. He now has 141 major league games on his ledger, spending time with the Phillies in 2021 and then the Giants and Marlins last year. Combined with his brief stint with the Dodgers this year, he has a career batting line of .234/.291/.306 and a wRC+ of 67. But he's created value elsewhere by swiping 14 bags in 20 tries and bouncing all around the diamond to fill in as needed."
Williams has some value as a pinch runner, but surely there are better outfielders in Atlanta's system who deserve a chance. At worst, Williams should be sent back down once Sam Hilliard comes off the injured list.
Braves who shouldn't be on September roster: Colin McHugh
By no means is Colin McHugh a bad pitcher, but he's among the weakest links in the Atlanta Braves bullpen right now. McHugh has an ERA of 4.50 in his last 15 appearances, and 4.20 in his last 30 appearances. A solid start to the season won't make up for those ineffective numbers, either.
Come September, the Braves will need pitchers they can rely on in the postseason. Assuming A.J. Smith-Shawver comes back strong from his MiLB IL stint, or if Atlanta would prefer to use Kyle Wright or Michael Soroka in a bullpen role, it could mean the end of McHugh in a Braves uniform.
In his last outing against the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 27, McHugh made manager Brian Snitker look bad, giving up four earned runs in just over an inning pitched.
More importantly, though, the aspect of parting with McHugh or stashing him in case of injury is a compliment to the arms Atlanta has in its minor-league system. Soroka and Smith-Shawver, if healthy, are coming. Wright is just a few outings away from returning to the bigs in some capacity, and he won 20 games last season.
Baseball is a tough business some times, and an elite team like the Braves should demand perfection from its bullpen.
