Braves Strike Another Early-Season Deal for Infielder

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The Atlanta Braves are spending their off day retooling their infield.

Hours after trading backup infielder Luis Guillorme to the Angels, Atlanta announced it is acquiring infielder Zack Short after he was designated for assignment by the Red Sox a few days ago. Boston got Short from the Mets on May 1, so this will be his third Big-League club in 2024.

Short went 0-for-7 in two games with Boston last week. He made a start a piece at second and third base before being DFA’d in response to Vaughn Grissom’s call-up to Boston. He also played in 10 games for the Mets, going 1-for-9 with two runs scored and four strikeouts in three starts.

Short owns a .169 batting average, 13 homers, .561 OPS and eight stolen bases since making his debut in 2021 with the Tigers. Despite a below-average bat, he brings a lot of defensive versatility to Atlanta with experience at shortstop, second base, third base, right and center field, DH and has even pitched in six games with a .974 fielding percentage among them all.

A 2016 draft pick by the Cubs, the 29-year-old played for three years with Detroit before becoming a journeyman this season. He’s made his most starts at shortstop (90), but as previously stated, he has experience everywhere: 189 combined games played in the infield, four outfield appearances, five at DH and six on the mound (all pitching appearances were in games Detroit lost in 2023).

His utility will come at a low cost. He was acquired from Boston for cash considerations, and the Braves are set to receive either cash or a player to be named later from the Angels for Guillorme.