The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bourjos may bolster Braves outfield
Team near deal with strong defender cut Friday by the Cubs.
LAKELAND,FLA.— The Braves’ front office stayed busy on the team’s final day of spring training in Florida, working to strengthen their outfield defense with the addition of Peter Bourjos. They were close to finalizing a one-year major-league deal with the veteran right-handed hitter, a person close to the situation said Sunday.
At 31, Bourjos is still regarded as a strong defender at all three outfield positions. He was released by the Cubs on Friday after signing a minor-league deal in February.
Bourjos is a .241 career hitter with a .298 OBP and .680 OPS in eight seasons with the Angels, Cardinals, Phillies and Rays. He hit .271 and led the American League in triples (11) in 2011 in 502 plate appearances in his second season with the Angels. That was the only year he had as many as 300 PAs until 2016 with the Phillies, when he hit .251 with seven triples and five homers in 383 PAs.
Bourjos hit just .223 with a .272 OBP in 100 games (203 PAs) with the Rays last season, but still hit .260 with a .752 OPS in 113 plate appearances against left-handers. That could make him valuable on a Braves team that has left-handed hitters Ender Inciarte in center field and Nick Markakis in right. Peter Bourjos led the American League in triples in 2011, but that’s the only time he’s gotten more than 500 plate appearances in a season. He hit just .223 with a .272 OBP last season with Tampa Bay.