From 0-7 to 24-23, the Atlanta Braves have surged back into playoff contention in incredible fashion over the past month.
Whether or not the Braves stick around .500, though, will likely come without journeyman first baseman Garrett Cooper.
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The Braves released Cooper, an eight-year MLB veteran, on Monday afternoon. The 34-year-old hit .228 with two home runs, 17 RBI, and a .621 OPS in 138 plate appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett.
Atlanta also cut veteran relief pitcher Jordan Weems, who posted a 6.70 ERA for the Washington Nationals last year. Unfortunately for Weems, he allowed 10 runs and walked another 10 across 17.2 innings at Triple-A.
Boston Red Sox first baseman Garrett CooperJeff Curry-Imagn Images
Cooper shouldn’t need to wait long before he’s with another organization, though almost certainly for a Triple-A club. Cooper hit .206 with a home run, 11 RBI, and an ugly .566 OPS over 116 plate appearances for the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox last year.
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A 2013 sixth-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, Cooper debuted with the New York Yankees in July 2017. Cooper hit fifth in a lineup featuring fellow rookie Aaron Judge in a 5-4 loss to the Red Sox.
Cooper spent the next six seasons with the Miami Marlins, hitting .269 with 52 home runs, 201 RBI, and a .774 OPS in 427 games for the Fish. A 2022 All-Star, Cooper averaged 1.1 bWAR, 10 home runs, a .350 on-base percentage, and a .794 OPS from 2019-22.
Miami traded Cooper to the San Diego Padres at the 2023 deadline, and he’s bounced around since. We’ll see if the last-place Marlins bring Cooper back for one last party in front of a mostly empty stadium.
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