When spring training begins in February, the Atlanta Braves organization will look noticeably different, with many familiar faces no longer around.
Following a season marked by significant changes to the 40-man roster, the Braves have cycled players in and out at a brisk pace this offseason. That turnover started soon after the regular season concluded, as players began opting for minor-league free agency. One of those departures was utility infielder, whose time with the organization lasted few months.
Bastidas joined Atlanta in August via a cash-only trade with the Houston Astros and appeared in 37 games for Triple-A Gwinnett, where he posted a solid .736 OPS. After choosing free agency on Nov. 6, he now has a chance to face the Braves next year—provided he finally reaches the major leagues for the first time in his career.
According to the transactions log on his official roster page, Bastidas signed a minor-league deal with the Miami Marlins. He was initially assigned to Triple-A Jacksonville, but he could feasibly compete for a spot on the major league bench with a strong showing in spring training.
Bastidas has had a bumpy road through the minors, having previously departed the New York Yankees’ farm system at the end of the 2023 campaign. He hadn’t previously been much of a power guy, but in his first season with the Astros organization, he popped 25 home runs in the offense-happy Pacific Coast League last year.
The Marlins also have to like Bastidas’ versatility, as he played over 200 innings each at third base, second base, and shortstop this year.
While it’s not known whether the Braves made a push to bring Bastidas back, one can bet they wouldn’t be thrilled if he winds up becoming an impact player with a National League East foe. The odds of that may not be high based on the conversion rate of minor-leaguers at Bastidas’ age, but those odds are never zero at this juncture.
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