MLB Atlanta Braves

5 Atlanta Braves Players Who Won’t Be Back in 2015

5 Atlanta Braves Who Won't Be Back in 2014

5 Atlanta Braves Who Won't Be Back in 2014
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves struggled down the stretch and ended up being a huge disappointment in 2014. Changes have already been made -- none bigger than showing GM Frank Wren the door. The Braves have already announced that manager Fredi Gonzalez will return, but the same can't be said for all of his players. Here are five that won't be in a Braves uniform in 2015

5. Ervin Santana

Ervin Santana, Atlanta Braves P
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

5. Ervin Santana

Ervin Santana, Atlanta Braves P
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

All in all, Santana gave the Braves exactly what they needed in 2014. He was a workhorse at the front of the rotation who pitched well for the majority of the season. The problem here is Santana made million last season and was only available because he was looking for more than teams were willing to offer. After a season comparable to 2013, don't expect Santana to want less, which means the Braves will likely move on.

4. Ryan Doumit

Ryan Doumit, Atlanta Braves C
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

4. Ryan Doumit

Ryan Doumit, Atlanta Braves C
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

The Braves traded a former first-round pick to get Doumit on their bench with the hopes he would come up big as the primary pinch-hitter and give Gonzalez versatility. The results weren't there. Doumit responded by hitting .197 on the season and .184 off the bench. He didn't even provide any pop, only hitting nine extra-base hits on the year. Doumit was a terrible acquisition and he won't be on the roster in 2015.

3. Mike Minor

Mike Minor, Atlanta Braves P
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

3. Mike Minor

Mike Minor, Atlanta Braves P
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Minor was up-and-down this season. He spent most of the first part of the season on the DL, and then when he got healthy was inconsistent. He posted an ERA over 4.00 and never really found his groove. However, the fact that he is only 26 and won't be a free agent until 2018 means Minor holds a lot of value and could be a trade commodity that helps the Braves remake their roster. I'd expect the Braves to sell on Minor.

2. Evan Gattis

Evan Gattis, Atlanta Braves C
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

2. Evan Gattis

Evan Gattis, Atlanta Braves C
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The only disappointment about Evan Gattis was a serious bad luck run of injuries and illness, especially the last month of the season. He was one of the Braves' best hitters on the year and was serviceable behind the dish. Like Minor, however, his greatest use to the Braves may be as a trade chip. Gattis would hold much more value in the AL, where his bat could be in the lineup every day -- expect the Braves to capitalize on his value.

1. B.J. Upton

B.J. Upton, Atlanta Braves CF
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

1. B.J. Upton

B.J. Upton, Atlanta Braves CF
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Upton has been an unmitigated disaster since coming to Atlanta. No one expected him to be MVP caliber, but certainly no one expected .198 with 21 homers in two years. The Braves can't afford to have him on the roster, even if it means dumping him, like they finally did with Uggla. They have to hope a team is willing to take Upton in a deal that gets them someone like Minor; otherwise a quarter of their payroll will be wasted on Uggla and Upton.

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