{"id":2815,"date":"2016-12-27T22:19:29","date_gmt":"2016-12-28T03:19:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=2815"},"modified":"2016-12-27T22:19:29","modified_gmt":"2016-12-28T03:19:29","slug":"matt-wieters-to-atlanta-could-happen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2016\/12\/27\/matt-wieters-to-atlanta-could-happen\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt Wieters to Atlanta Could Happen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Could Matt Wieters<\/a><\/strong> possibly join the Atlanta Braves <\/strong>this year? General manager John Coppolella has expressed\u00a0interest in the free agent catcher.<\/p>\n

Matt Wieters<\/a> to Atlanta Could Happen<\/h2>\n

Wieters is currently 30 years old and has been a four-time All-Star throughout his career.\u00a0Wieters\u2019 price tag will have to drop down in order for a deal to take place. The Braves already signed former White Sox<\/strong> catcher Tyler Flowers<\/a><\/strong> to a two-year deal worth $5.3 million last off-season. While they already have a commitment to Flowers, Atlanta most likely would not mind adding an upgrade to their lineup. In 124 games this past season, Wieters compiled a .243 batting average, 17 home runs and 66 RBI. \u00a0Flowers, in just 83 games, posted a .270 batting average, eight home runs and 41 RBI. \u00a0Wieters’ power will improve any lineup in the league, especially the Atlanta Braves.<\/p>\n

Local Product<\/h3>\n

In addition to being able to fill a need for the Braves, Wieters is considered to be a local product. Having grown up in the Charleston, South Carolina area, Wieters went on to become a star at Georgia Tech<\/strong>. His successful college career led him to become the fifth\u00a0overall pick in the 2007 MLB Draft. Due to jump starting his baseball career in the city of Atlanta, the Braves also have an opportunity to get a \u201chometown discount.\u201d Atlanta may be able to sign Wieters at a cheaper price compared to most\u00a0MLB teams.<\/p>\n

The Braves first expressed interest in Wieters back in November, according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Unfortunately, they did not \u00a0want to match agent Scott Boras’ asking price for his player. There is only one other problem for a deal to take place between Wieters and the Braves. The Braves currently have depth at the catcher position. Along with Flowers, the Braves also have two other catchers in Anthony Recker<\/a><\/strong> and Tuffy Gosewisch<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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#Braves<\/a> are interested in him, yes. https:\/\/t.co\/PVEmN7Peew<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 David O’Brien (@DOBrienAJC) November 7, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n