Atlanta Braves show interest in former Boston Red Sox Cody Ross – MLB Update
Discussions between the Boston Red Sox and Cody Ross seemed to have cooled as the Red Sox cannot afford to pay the price Ross felt he was worth. With the Red Sox putting an end to the contract possibility, other teams in Major League Baseball are stepping
in take Ross.
Atlanta Braves are one of the front runners, looking to secure a deal with the former Red Sox’s right fielder. According to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, the Braves are looking at Ross as a potential starting left fielder. The move will let the Braves move Martin
Prado back to the infield to replace Chipper Jones at third. Jones took retirement from baseball at the end of the season.
Having Ross in the line-up can solve Braves’ batting problems after they managed a poor 92 split adjusted OPS+ against left handers. Jones had a decent time against the southpaws and Michael Bourn also performed well against them but both of them are unlikely
to be on Braves’ roster in the next season.
Ross hit .295/.373./.636 against lefties in 2012 and he has given exceptional results against them since the start of his MLB career. Having him in the batting line-up certainly makes a lot of sense. However, there can be a negative aspect to this move.
Ross has been poor against the right handed pitchers over the last few years. Outside of Fenway Park in 2012, he hit just .232/.294/.390.
Considering how well he batted in hitting friendly conditions at Fenway Park and his inability to hit home-runs against the right handers, he could struggle to give the desired results at Braves’ home ballpark.
In Atlanta, a park that is not so friendly for the right handed hitters, he may not be able to post numbers similar to this past season. From 2008 to 2011, he had a 103 OPS+ in parks outside Fenway and that should be one of many concerns for the Braves.
With a backup option to tackle the right handers, this deal could still work. However, considering Ross is asking for starting outfielder price, it may not happen.
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