Braves Bring Back A World Champion Utilityman

He was a top reserve as a utilityman during the Atlanta Braves' 2021 run to the World Series title. Things didn't quite pan out as well in 2022 for Ehire Adrianza after signing a free agent deal with the Washington Nationals. He was dealt back to Atlanta at the trade deadline, and now the Braves are re-upping with him for 2023.

The Braves signed Ehire Adrianza to a minor-league deal with an invite to big-league camp. He’ll be a non-roster invite.

— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) December 16, 2022

It's another minor league deal for the 33-year-old, with a non-roster invite to spring training. The Braves are hoping he can recapture his 2021 magic, when he played every position on the field except catcher and first base, and contributed a .728 OPS and a key hit in the NLCS. 

Welcome back to the A, Ehire Adrianza!

pic.twitter.com/zdV4Ok88AB

— Honest Braves Fan 🇲🇽🇫🇷 (@HonestBravesFan) December 16, 2022

This will be his 11th year in the majors, having spent four seasons each with the San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins before coming to Atlanta on a minor league deal in '21. 

In 2022, Adrianza missed nearly half the season with various stints to the injured list, and managed to muster up only 97 at-bats, never getting his rhythm and finished with a .175 average and .470 OPS. 

Perhaps a fresh start in a familiar place can re-ignite the utilityman. 

Photo: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports