With catcher Brian McCann heading into free agency this offseason, the Braves face uncertainty at the catcher position for the first time in eight years. Manager Fredi Gonzalez indicated Wednesday that Evan Gattis, Gerald Laird and Christian Bethancourt are all in the mix for playing time behind the plate, MLB.com reports.
"Maybe not knowing what's going on, but you give Bethancourt a little chance and bring him along a little bit," Gonzalez told MLB.com. "Go with Gattis and Laird, and throw Bethancourt a bone every once in a while, put Gattis out in left field because we know that he can do it."
McCann played 92 games behind the plate in 2013, including 91 starts and 84 complete games. Gattis made 42 appearances and 38 starts at catcher while drawing 48 appearances (47 starts) in left field, as well as four appearances at first base. Laird was the only other Brave to draw playing time at catcher, making 40 appearances and 33 starts at the position.