The Atlanta Braves have signed veteran catcher Francisco Cervelli after he was released by the Pirates. Reportedly, Cervelli asked for his release from Pittsburgh both due to his lack of playing time and for the chance to play with a contending team in the postseason.
Cervelli was the highest-paid player on the Pirates’ payroll this year and being that no team would be willing to take on the remainder of his $11.5 million contract, the Braves had to wait until he signed his release forms in order to sign him.
Cervelli hasn’t appeared in a game since May 25 due to a concussion he suffered which placed him on the 60 day Injured List. The hard-working catcher was a popular player in Pittsburgh due to his hard work ethic and team leadership. The Pirates organization decided to honor his request being that Atlanta can offer him more playing time and a shot at the postseason.
Pittsburgh has been on a terrible losing streak since the All-Star break and with a record of 8-30 are on pace to break the record for the most losses in the second half in baseball history. Cervelli’s request came after the Pirates were outscored 32-6 in a 4 game series with the Nationals, and is the latest move in an organization that is looking to figure out a way to get past their losing ways.
While there is hope in young players such as Bryan Reynolds and Josh Bell, the fans in Pittsburgh are looking for more than their small taste of winning baseball they experienced from 2013-15. Fans such as this one are starting to get creative in their form of support for the hometown team.
