I forgot about Varvaro.

I think he is technically on rehab in Gwinnett, so maybe he gets the call until Hudson is needed.

FYI - Gattis has been practicing in the outfield and is slated to start in LF for Lynchburg some time this week.

I'm really interested in Gattis in LF.

If he could manage to learn LF while staying up to par on his catching skills, he would be a perfect bench bat. But does anyone ever do that? Play outfield while also filling in for backup catcher on occasion?

With his bat, he could be valuable off the bench in 2013. Maybe like a Josh Hamilton story.

Would Gattis actually be "backup catcher" or would it be more emergency catcher though? (i don't know about his catching ability.

Supposedly he has a great arm and game calling skills, but was still working on quickness blocking pitches and starting his throw to second.

With his size, it seemed like a move to LF or 1B was inevitable though. But it would be nice to have a guy who could possibly replace Ross while also giving days off to LF and Freeman. Like a version of Prado for the "slow guy" positions.

I think if we converted him at all he would end up more of a Hinske replacement than a Ross replacement. My guess is you'd still need another backup catcher around anyway. If the bat we see is legit - then a Hinske that can catch if required would be good (and if we got a catcher like Ross that had some ability to be backup - then would allow them to pinchhit if needed too)

I'm beginning to think his bat is legit. At first I was worried he was just a Mauro Gomez 2.0 (remember him last year?), but after a .600+ SLG last season and 6 HR and an .800+ SLG so far this season, I'm beginning to think he's the real deal. He even has a 1/1 BB/K ration to boot. It's time to find him a position because we could use a bat like that.

With him possibly being a LF, and Terdoslavich possibly being 3rd baseman in a few years - we have an option of while not going cheap, at least only getting a stopgap at LF/3B until they come up. I think that will make things much easier come winter for Wren if it works out.

"Play outfield while also filling in for backup catcher on occasion?"

Jake Fox is one guy I can think of. Ryan Doumit is also a guy who has played a lot of catcher and outfield.

Not sure if it has been mentioned in this thread but JJ Hoover has been called up by the Reds. Good luck to him.

JJ was blowing up their AAA when I checked last week to the tune of an 18.0 K/9. He could end up being useful for them out of the bullpen.

I'm still ok with John Frank slammin' homers for us off the bench.

Yes. The trade was good for both teams.

Kyle Kubitza is the player of the week for the Sally League:

South Atlantic League
Kyle Kubitza, Rome
(.440/.517/.920, 6 G, 11-for-25, 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, 6 K, 2 SB, 1 CS)
Kubitza hit .321/.407/.475 in the Appalachian League last summer and this spring has picked up right where he left off -- while adding some power. The Texas State product has already collected four longballs and three triples in 15 games this season; he had just one homer and three three-baggers in 44 games with Danville last year. Kubitza opened the week with a three-hit, four-RBI performance against Savannah on Monday that saw him fall a double shy of the cycle. The 21-year-old added four hits -- three of them doubles -- at Asheville on Thursday, and blasted a solo shot on Sunday to give him a share of the Sally League home run lead.

Oh, I'm not complaining about the trade. Francisco has been great off the bench. I wish he were right handed but I can't quibble about that.

I'm glad to hear that Salcedo is continuing to do well. Hopefully some of these young Braves position prospects make some noise this year.

Kubitza, LaStella, Salcedo, Terdoslavich, Simmons, others I'm sure I'm forgetting.

All of a sudden we have a ton of really good infield options coming through the pipe. It's a good time to have a surge of infield talent, as both 3B and SS could be up for grab starting in 2013 or sooner.

How do you guys think they should handle Flande? Keep him a starter and maybe build more rotational depth (and possible trade bait) or do you ultimately see him as a bullpen pitcher for his major league career?

Cory Gearrin just called up.

It will be interesting to see what they do with him. I almost wonder if they will do a "Charlie Morton" with him. Build up his value and then trade him. He is great depth to have if nothing else.

I can see it now, in 2 years we have 3 lefties in rotation Minor, Gilmartin and Flande. (:

It's nice to have the options and trade bait. Especially with the payroll the way it is.

I'll be checking the Reds board all year when Francisco does something good, but I think Hoover will work out well for them and the trade might help both teams.

Hopefully I get to check the Reds board a lot with good games from Juan.

Hard to believe Juan would be tied for the HR lead on their team right now just like he is on ours with Uggla, Freddie and Mac.