BRAVES BRING IN UTILITY MAN SANTANA
The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder/infielder Danny Santana from the Minnesota Twins for pitcher Kevin Chapman and cash.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
In Santana, the Braves acquire another extremely versatile player--they already boast Jace Peterson and Emilio Bonifacio (who can all play both in the infield and outfield). They also have the versatile Sean Rodriguez, who should miss all of 2017 due to shoulder surgery. Therfore, Santana essentially is a replacement for Rodriguez, albeit one with less power and more speed. Look for Santana to play all over the field for Atlanta.
What does it give the Minnesota Twins
The Twins had designated Santana for assignment recently, so the writing was on the wall for change. He was no longer needed in center field with Byron Buxton showing signs of life with the bat recently, while Jorge Polanco has solidified the shortstop position in Minnesota (making Santana expendable). In Chapman, the Twins add a journeyman lefty who may see time in the big leagues later on. He is a fringe big-league reliever.
Fantasy impact
Santana may serve as insurance at shortstop for Atlanta, in case young Dansby Swanson continues to struggle with the bat. The Braves can also use Peterson at short, so Santana's fantasy value remains rather light at present time. As for Chapman, he is not going to be a fantasy factor at all.
