Remember a little more than a month ago, when the Braves traded Nicky Lopez a few hours after I wrote why it made perfect sense to keep him? 

With that in mind, I extend my apologies to Kevin Pillar and anybody else who would like to see Pillar back with the Braves this year.

That’s right, I’m going to lay out why it makes sense for the Braves to fill one of their final roster spots by re-signing Pillar.

With the addition of Luis Guillorme last week, the Braves found their primary backup infielder. David Fletcher is still in the picture, but the Braves also have the option of keeping him at the Triple-A level.

For accounting purposes, let’s assume Guillorme is the only one of these infielders on the Opening Day roster. That would leave two available spots for position players on the 26-man roster, which will include 13 pitchers.

Projected position players: C Sean Murphy, C Travis d’Arnaud, 1B Matt Olson, 2B Ozzie Albies, SS Orlando Arcia, 3B Austin Riley, OF Jarred Kelenic, OF Michael Harris II, OF Ronald Acuña Jr., DH Marcell Ozuna, INF Guillorme, OF TBD, INF/OF TBD.

Pillar is a valuable veteran who became a respected figure throughout the Braves’ clubhouse last year. He is capable of providing plus range at each outfield position. He also now has the experience he gained last year while introducing himself to a backup role.

The Braves need a right-handed-hitting outfielder who can play each of the positions and occasionally spell Kelenic in left field. Pillar could log time in left field and occasionally spell Harris in center field. Kelenic’s versatility across the outfield could also create some playing time for Pillar.

As a backup last year, Pillar seemed to be successful with his production and attitude. Of course, as he nears the end of his career, the 35-year-old free agent might seek a team that could provide him more playing time.

Yeah, it makes sense to bring Pillar back. But if this goes like the Lopez experiment, Pillar should have a job with another team shortly after you finish reading this sentence. 

Which player born in Georgia has hit the most home runs for the Braves?

A. Nick Markakis
B. Dansby Swanson
C. Jeff Francoeur
D. Brian McCann

When the 2025 season begins, each of the Braves’ four Minor League affiliates will be located less than 2 1/2 hours from Atlanta. 

The Braves’ Double-A affiliate will relocate from Pearl, Miss., to Columbus, Ga., after this upcoming season. Columbus is approximately 1 hour, 50 minutes southwest of Truist Park.

Other affiliates’ proximity to Truist Park:

• Single-A Augusta: Approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes
• High-A Rome: Approximately 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Triple-A Gwinnett: Approximately one hour

The only affiliate located outside of Georgia is Augusta. Yeah, the sports world focuses on Augusta, Ga., every year during The Masters. But the baseball stadium is in North Augusta, which is just across the state line in South Carolina. 

MLB Network began unveiling the Top 10 players at each position this week. The Braves should have a strong presence at a few positions.

Starting pitchers were featured when this year’s series began on Tuesday. Spencer Strider was ranked No. 7 and Max Fried was No. 9. The Braves were the only team to have more than one pitcher on this list. 

Murphy ranked No. 3 when the catchers were announced on Wednesday.

Here is the schedule for the remaining positions:

• Thursday: Shortstops
• Tuesday: Right fielders
• Wednesday: Second basemen
• Jan. 18: First basemen
• Jan. 24: Left fielders
• Jan. 25: Center fielders
• Jan. 31: Third basemen
• Feb. 1: Relief pitchers

• David Adler looks at how Chris Sale can be successful this season.

• MLB announced which games will be televised nationally during the season’s first couple months.

• Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver both drew votes from execs polled about prospects with the best tools.

D. McCann ranks first with 188 homers and Swanson second with 102. Olson could soon be at the top of this list. After just two seasons with his hometown team, he ranks third with 88 home runs. Francoeur is fourth with 85.

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