The Atlanta Braves are not one of the teams expected to be big spenders this winter, but they are looking to address a few key spots on the team.
Shortstop is the big priority, but the Braves are also looking to make a few additions elsewhere to round out the roster. Depth additions are important, and the Braves recently made one such move.
According to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball, the Braves are signing a former Houston Astros and New York Yankees veteran outfielder to a one-year deal.
Braves sign former Astros, Yankees journeyman outfielder
"The Braves and outfielder Ben Gamel have agreed to a minor league deal, sources tell @JustBB_Media," Leighton reported.
Gamel spent the 2025 season in the minor leagues with the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels. While he was "battling injuries" as Leighton reports, when he played, he posted a.914 OPS with eight home runs in 49 games played.
His last MLB stint was with the Astros in 2024, where he played in 20 games, hitting.259 with a.739 OPS and a strong 113 OPS+. Across his nine-year MLB career, Gamel has played for eight different teams.
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Gamel began his career with the Yankees back in 2016, where he played just six games before being moved to the Seattle Mariners. After a few years there, he joined the Milwaukee Brewers, then the Cleveland Guardians, followed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, before his stint in 2024 with the Astros.
The 33-year-old will be entering his 10th MLB season if he suits up for the Braves in 2026, but with his current deal being a minor league one, he will need to prove his worth in Spring Training to get a shot at the MLB roster.
This is an interesting signing for the Braves, as the veteran outfielder with a career.716 OPS and 96 OPS+ would be a solid bench piece for Atlanta in 2026.
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