Why Atlanta Braves chose Orlando Arcia at shortstop over Vaughn Grissom
The decision to give Orlando Arcia the job at shortstop to begin the 2023 season is a questionable one by the Atlanta Braves, but there are several reasons why this decision was made.
We can argue all day whether or not these reasons are valid, but Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves coaches have earned the benefit of the doubt and know what is best for this team in the long run.
Still, there are many fans -- like myself -- who were very confused as we were led to believe there was an actual competition at shortstop this Spring Training when it seems like the team's mind was already made up.
Because if it were a true competition in Spring Training, there is no question that Vaughn Grissom -- and Braden Shewmake for that matter -- were far more impressive than Arcia.
But Arcia is the veteran who has spent time in the big leagues as an everyday shortstop and was always the safer option for the job.
There were many other factors in play as well, including roster manipulation.
The Braves REALLY like Ehire Adrianza
One of my biggest concerns coming into Spring Training, which I discussed in this podcast two weeks ago, was the lack of middle infield depth.
Those concerns were seemingly put away, for the most part, with the emergence of Shewmake in Spring Training. However, apparently, those concerns still remained for the organization, as part of their decision to option both Grissom and Shewmake was so they don't lose some of that depth in Ehire Adrianza.
Had the Braves optioned Adrianza, he has enough service time in the big leagues to decline that option and become a free agent.
As Mark Bowman of MLB.com points out, the Braves didn't want to lose that depth while Ozzie Albies is still regaining arm strength from offseason shoulder surgery.
Adrianza is solid depth, can play multiple positions, and is a switch-hitter. But he's slashed just .215/.301/.318 in 190 games over the last three seasons.
It's somewhat hard to believe the Braves would demote a better option at shortstop just to keep Adrianza on the roster.
Grissom and Shewmake just aren't ready
That's why the only other logical reason the Braves would make this move is that they truly feel Grissom and Shewmake aren't ready and need more time at the minor league level to develop.
Again, I'm not sure what more you could have wanted to see from either of them in Spring Training, which is why I don't think it was ever really a competition.
But the coaches and front office are there every day watching these players and have a much better idea of what they are capable of than us fans who just get a glimpse in meaningless Spring Training games.
And both players do have areas of weakness they need to continue to work on.
While Grissom did show improvement defensively this Spring, there is still a chance he's below average at a primary defensive position.
Shewmake looked great at the plate this Spring, but does that 31-at-bat sample size outweigh what we've seen from him in the minors over the last two seasons? Certainly not.
So the Braves need to see both of these guys go down to Triple-A and continue to show the improvements they made this Spring before they feel more comfortable giving one of them the job.
The question I and many Braves fans have is, could one of them continue to work on those things at the big league level and still give you better production than what Arcia will give you?
If you just wanted defense, Shewmake looks like the best option and then you live with the production he gives you in the nine-hole.
It's a question many fans, and probably even the Braves themselves will be asking. But again, they've earned our trust.
It wasn't for a trade or service time manipulation
A lot of fans have speculated that the demotions of Grissom and Shewmake could signal that a trade is coming.
That seems highly unlikely at this point in Spring Training. Shortstops that might be available like Willy Adames and Tim Anderson are on teams who still hope to contend in 2023.
Perhaps if Grissom and Shewmake don't develop like the Braves hope, and the Brewers and White Sox struggle, then a trade becomes a serious option later in the season.
And we'll never know as teams will never tell you if a decision is made based on service time manipulation, but that seems highly unlikely as well.
The Braves are trying to win now and have had no issues calling up young players the past few years when they feel like it gives them a chance to win (see Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider, and Grissom in 2022).
It's really hard to believe -- and would be a terrible look for the franchise -- they would demote a player they feel gives them a better chance to win just to gain an extra year of control for a team that is in win-now mode.
At the end of the day, the Braves will be just fine with Orlando Arcia at shortstop and it's not a decision that should change the outcome of this season.
There's a very good chance we see Grissom and/or Shewmake up very soon and they'll play a big role in the team's success in 2023. For the long-term outlook of the position, let's hope that's the case.
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