The Braves have acquired infielder Cavan Biggio from the Giants, as reported by Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, the Giants will receive cash considerations in exchange for Biggio. Since Biggio is on a minor league deal, he could be traded even though the deadline has passed. However, because he joined the Braves after September began, he won’t be eligible for postseason play.
Biggio, 29, was selected by the Blue Jays in the fifth round of the 2016 draft and made his MLB debut in 2019. Initially considered part of a promising young core in Toronto, he had a solid rookie season, batting .234/.364/.429 (115 wRC+) in 100 games as the team’s regular second baseman and finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting. His performance continued positively in the shortened 2020 season, where he appeared in 59 of 60 games and posted a career-best 122 wRC+.
Unfortunately, Biggio’s success dwindled over the next two years. He struggled offensively, hitting .213/.320/.353 (91 wRC+) in 597 plate appearances. Despite an impressive walk rate of 12.6%, his strikeout rate increased to 27.3%, and his power diminished significantly, with only 13 home runs in the 2021 and 2022 seasons combined. By late 2022, he was optioned to the minors as Santiago Espinal took over as the everyday second baseman.
Biggio showed some improvement last season, achieving his first above-average offensive performance in a full season since his rookie year. Limited to 338 plate appearances, he hit .235/.340/.370 (102 wRC+) while playing multiple positions. However, his struggles continued into this season, with a poor .200/.323/.291 line and a 32.1% strikeout rate, which was the highest of his career. The Blue Jays designated him for assignment in early June, and he was traded to the Dodgers, where he also struggled before being released in August. He then joined the Giants on a minor league deal but did not make it to the majors with them before being traded to the Braves.
Biggio’s move to the Braves marks his fourth team in 2024. The Braves, dealing with numerous injuries this season, have added several players who were released earlier this year, including outfielder Ramon Laureano, reliever John Brebbia, and infielders Whit Merrifield and Gio Urshela. Biggio appears to be filling in for Merrifield, who fractured his left foot recently. Although Merrifield may return soon, injuries have forced the Braves to rely on less proven options like Luke Williams and Eli White for the infield positions.
Despite his recent struggles, Biggio’s performance would still represent an upgrade over Williams and White, who have career wRC+ figures of 56 and 58, respectively. Biggio’s strong walk rate, at 13.6% for his career, offers a solid offensive foundation, even though his strikeout rate has been high this year. Although Biggio won’t be available for the postseason, his presence could be valuable while the Braves’ regular infielders are recovering. To play for the Braves, Biggio will need to be added to the team’s 40-man and active rosters, which is currently full, so a corresponding roster move will be necessary.
