The Atlanta Braves have bolstered their already strong catching core as it was announced today that the Braves have claimed Rene Rivera off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Both teams have confirmed the move.
#Braves acquire Rene Rivera from #Angels via waiver claim. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 29, 2018
The #Braves today were assigned C René Rivera on waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. pic.twitter.com/v9LzwGikKg
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 29, 2018
Atlanta Braves Acquire Rene Rivera
Rivera’s Career Profile
Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the second round with the forty-ninth overall pick of the 2001 MLB Draft, Rivera would start his MLB career in 2004, but only playing two games. He would go on to spend three years in Seattle, playing a total of 53 games hitting a .227 batting average in that time. After the 2006 season, Rivera would spend the 2007 season in the Mariner’s system before being granted free agency in November. Rivera would then sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers and would spend the 2008 season in their system as well.
In the 2009 season, Rivera would sign with the New York Mets and spend time in their system before leaving MLB all together in 2010. During the 2010 season, Rivera would play for the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League before making his return to MLB, and the big leagues, when he signed with the Minnesota Twins. He would play in just 45 games for the Twins before playing for their Triple-A team for the entire 2012 season. In December of 2012, Rivera would sign with the San Diego Padres and play in 126 games hitting a .252 batting average over three years.
After the 2014 season, Rivera would be part of a massive three-team trade that would send him, along with first baseman Jake Bauers and pitcher Burch Smith, to the Tampa Bay Rays. Rivera would play in 110 games during the 2015 season for the Rays, hitting a measly .178 batting average. After that season, Rivera would sign with the Mets again, this time appearing for the team in 119 games in two years. He would be picked up by the Chicago Cubs off waivers on August 19th, 2017. After finishing the year with the Cubs, Rivera would sign with the Angels.
Acquisition Analysis
For the Braves, with Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki playing incredible, this move gives them another strong option behind the plate, as well as some more firepower on their bench for the final stretch of the season and their postseason run. For the Angels, this puts their catcher position in question after they already traded Martin Maldonado to the Houston Astros at the trade deadline. They now only have Francisco Arcia as the lone man behind the plate. But the Braves are looking to add veterans for their playoff run, and they have done just that with this move.
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