Houston Astros lose Kevin Chapman to the Atlanta Braves via waivers

The Houston Astros took the chance that left-handed reliever Chapman would clear waivers.

Jake Kaplan wrote yesterday that the Houston Astros were confident that Kevin Chapman would not be claimed. However, no one can predict what another team will do. The team was hoping to be able to retain Chapman, but he is now a Brave, for now.

Kaplan and others reported that Chapman was claimed by the Braves. The Astros 40-man roster now sits at 39 players. Chapman will now have to stay on the Braves 25-man roster come opening day. If he does not break camp with the Braves, he will be placed on waivers again. This is a brutal process, just ask the ex-Astros prospect, David Rollins. He switched teams multiple times this past offseason, before settling in with the Cubs.

Looking at where Chapman lands.

He will eventually find a home, or he will clear waivers and be assigned to the minor leagues. The Braves are in the middle of a rapid rebuilding process with some big trades over the years. They have added some veteran pitchers to stabilize the young guys in the rotation. There is a strong chance that Chapman sticks with the Braves.

Chapman was not at camp with the Astros as he was part of team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Eliminated from the tournament Sunday, the players from Canada will be returning. Now, he will be reporting back to Florida, just not to the same place. Chapman started at the Ballpark at the Palm Beaches, but will now pack up his things and travel north to Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

Chapman’s career stats. 3-1/ 4.09 ERA/ 48 strikeouts in 55 innings.

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Life without Chapman.

The Houston Astros are moving on from Chapman now. They also now have an open roster spot on the 40-man roster now. As with Chapman, teams often put players on waivers to try to open a spot for someone new. The Astros are now ready to add someone if the opportunity arises. Maybe they are looking for a veteran reliever. More specifically, a left-handed reliever.

Astros GM Jeff Luhnow has done a good job identifying waiver claims that could help the team. You might remember people like Tony Sipp, Will Harris, and Collin McHugh. Let’s see if Luhnow has one more trick up his sleeve.

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Barring a surprise, don’t see anyone in camp threatening to make the opening day roster, not on the 40-man roster. The A.J. Reed and Jandel Gustave‘s of the world are already on the 40-man roster. Another spot may clear up soon with Brad Peacock and Max Stassi out of options. Their future is up in the air.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference***