For the most part, contenders in MLB have been busy looking for difference-making moves that can help their team in the stretch run. But the Philadelphia Phillies' main division rival Atlanta Braves recently made a bold move, but one that reeks of desperation.
Last week, the Braves signed veteran Eddie Rosario to a minor league contract, as reported by MLB.com's Mark Bowman. The move was supposedly to add valuable insurance depth to the organization. However, Rosario’s contract was quickly selected, and he was called up to the big league team on Monday. More surprising was the fact that he was immediately inserted into the starting lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Braves' latest signing reeks of desperation for Phillies’ division rival
It might sound like a great move for Atlanta. After all, the last time Rosario donned a Braves uniform during his three-year stint with the club from 2021 to 2023, he was instrumental in helping the team capture the World Series in 2021 and received NLCS MVP honors along the way.
As a Brave, he amassed 33 home runs and 114 RBI while batting .243 with a .718 OPS in 257 career games with the club. Therefore, Atlanta must be counting on some of that magic again in his second go-around with the team.
However, Rosario was a shell of his former self with the Washington Nationals this season. He had compiled a dismal .183 average with just a .555 OPS with 26 runs scored, seven home runs, 26 RBI and eight stolen bases in 67 games played before joining the Braves.
If Atlanta is expecting to see the version of Rosario that previously played for them, they will surely be greatly disappointed with the one they have now. But the fact that they are playing him regardless already means their cupboards must be bare in terms of internal help from within the organization.
The Phillies wouldn’t mind seeing more of Rosario and his sub-.200 average consistently in the Braves’ everyday lineup. After all, the more the struggling Rosario is forced to play, the more likely the Phillies will lock up the NL East title sooner rather than later over their division rivals.