Braves acquire infielder from Red Sox

The Red Sox have traded infielder Zack Short to the Braves in exchange for cash considerations, per announcements from both clubs. 

Boston had designated him for assignment earlier this week. Atlanta opened up a roster spot earlier Thursday by trading Luis Guillorme to the Angels.

Short, 29 this month, is a utility player with a distinctly patient approach at the plate. He has 469 career plate appearances, walking in 11.5 percent of those but also striking out at a 29.4 percent clip. He has only swung at 20.9 percent of pitches outside the zone. 

Among hitters with at least 450 plate appearances since the start of 2021, only seven batters have chased less. And one of those is Brett Gardner, who hasn’t played since 2021.

Despite the keen eye, Short hasn’t been able to produce much at the big league level. He currently has a career batting line of .169/.262/.299. The results have been a bit better at Triple-A, as he has slashed .226/.361/.397 there since the start of 2021. His 16.2 percent walk rate at that level helped him produce a 106 wRC+, though he was also punched out at a 26.6 percent clip.

In addition to an intriguing approach at the plate, Short also provides defensive versatility. At the major league level, he’s played the three infield positions to the left of first base, as well as center and right field. He’s also spent a bit of time in left field in the minors.

Short exhausted his final option year with the Tigers in 2023 and is now out of options. That has led to him bouncing around the league since the end of last season. 

The Mets claimed him from the Tigers in November but then designated him for assignment at the end of April when J.D. Martinez was ready for his team debut. He was traded to the Red Sox for cash but only lasted on that roster for a week before being designated for assignment again.

He may end up in DFA limbo again on account of his out-of-options status, but he’ll join Atlanta’s roster for now. The club has a lineup full of stars but Short will take over Guillorme’s previous role as a versatile bench piece alongside Luke Williams. 

If Short lasts on the roster all year, he can be retained for future seasons since he has less than two years of major league service time.