The Atlanta Braves shortstop position has been one of the more intriguing spots on the roster for manager Walt Weiss to fill this season. It was not supposed to be that way. This past offseason the organization inked Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year, $20 million deal to solidify the position.
That deal has been a disaster. Not only did Kim suffer a freak accident ahead of spring training that delayed his debut, but he dealt with another right finger injury later in July and has been awful when available. While Kim was down, utility man Mauricio Dubon filled in up the middle alongside Jorge Mateo.
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When Kim returned from his second stint on the injured list, Dubon was needed elsewhere on the diamond. Mateo was not as fortunate, particularly with Jim Jarvis earning an extended look at the big-league level, which made Mateo expendable.
The Braves officially released Mateo from the organization this past Sunday, and on Wednesday he officially found a new home. “Sources: Jorge Mateo has agreed to a Major League deal with the Tampa Bay Rays,” wrote MLB reporter Francys Romero.
The reasoning behind Tampa Bay’s decision was likely to provide right-handed infield depth. Mateo is also a speedy player despite being 31 years old, which fits exactly what the Rays are trying to build.
Mateo has not been good in the batter’s box this year, posting a .240 batting average, .285 on-base percentage and .665 OPS across 65 games with the Braves.
While his bat was what ultimately cost him his roster spot in Atlanta, Mateo can hope things turn around in Tampa Bay, where the Rays currently sit in first place in the American League East.
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