The Braves acquired a former Phillies outfielder off waivers during a series of roster moves to open the second half of the season.
When it comes to competing for a World Series, every little move can matter. The devil is always in the details.
So it's certainly not the biggest move the Braves have or will make this year, but picking up Dalton Guthrie off waivers on Thursday could prove valuable.
Atlanta announced the move on Twitter as they sent pitcher Nick Anderson to the 60-day injured list. They claimed Guthrie off waivers from the Giants and promptly optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Braves can use former Phillies prospect against them
In the immediate term, Guthrie is a replacement for Eli White at Gwinnett. Just before the MLB All-Star Break, White suffered an injury.
White had been an option in the outfield for the Braves in a pinch. Now Guthrie can fill that role.
Guthrie came up with the Phillies. They drafted him in the sixth round of the 2017 MLB Draft and gave him his debut in 2022. The outfielder acquitted himself well, slashing .333/.500/.476 in 14 games and 28 plate appearances.
However, he was far less viable at the plate in 2023. In 23 games and 28 plate appearances, he batted .167/.286/.208 before he was traded to the Giants on June 23. On the plus side, his defensive WAR is 0.4 this season.
Guthrie isn't ever going to set the league on fire with his bat, but he's a solid defensive presence with the ability to play across the outfield. He could even fill in if the infield needed a body. He saw brief action at second and third base in Philadelphia. There's value in versatility and defensive reliability.
Ideally, the Braves won't need to call on Guthrie this year, but if they do, he'll have the chance to make the Phillies regret shipping him off.
