The Braves have designated catcher Stephen Vogt for assignment, per Atlanta’s transaction log at MLB.com. The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Terrance Gore, allowing the speedy outfielder to join the Braves’ NLDS team off the bench.
The Braves acquired the former All-Star catcher from the Diamondbacks in the middle of the season to shore up their catching depth. While the veteran wasn’t able to match his modest 87 OPS+ production from Arizona, posting only a slash line of .167/.241/.244 (good for a 28 OPS+) with the Braves, his impact was felt elsewhere on the roster. After all, the Braves traded from their catching trove when they shipped young catcher Alex Jackson to the Marlins for Adam Duvall, a move that may have been harder to make without a veteran like Vogt on the roster. Duvall slugged 16 home runs down the stretch for the Braves en route to their division title.
Now, the 36-year-old Vogt is all but certain to clear waivers and enter free agency. While his offense has waned the past two seasons, netting a 59 OPS+, Vogt’s defense still checks in at about average. With teams always on the lookout for veteran catching depth, it’s possible Vogt will latch on somewhere this offseason via a minor league deal.
Gore, meanwhile, is selected from Triple-A to take on a role with which he is all too familiar. Despite never eclipsing 58 plate appearances in a single major league season, Gore has often been picked up by contenders looking to add some speed and defensive prowess to their pool of outfielders. While Gore did post a solid .361 OBP in Triple-A this year, continuing a trend of strong walk rates and next to no power, it’s unlikely he will see much opportunity for the Braves beyond as a pinch runner and late-game defensive sub.
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