Braves non-tender fan favorite Charlie Culberson

The Braves have allowed super sub Charlie Culberson to become a free agent

Charlie “Clutch” Culberson could be playing elsewhere in 2020, as the Braves non-tendered their super sub from the last two years Monday night.

Culberson was set to make $1.8 million, according to MLB trade rumors, through arbitration. The Braves also non-tendered catcher John Ryan Murphy and outfielder Rafael Ortega.

Culberson may be a bit of a surprise considering he was a fan favorite the last two seasons. However, the Braves may have been hesitant to commit that much money to a player who will be coming back from a serious beaning late last season in Washington.

Nationals’ reliever Fernando Rodney hit Culberson near his right eye on September 14 in a Braves blowout victory. Culberson had multiple fractures but did not require surgery. He missed the rest of the season.

Culberson played two seasons with the Braves after being traded by the Dodgers in the Matt Kemp deal. He was labeled “Charlie Clutch” in 2018 for his numerous clutch hits that led to Braves victories.

In 2019, Culberson hit .259 with five home runs, 20 RBI and had a .294 on base percentage. He played first, second, shortstop, third, right field, left field and even pitched for the Braves.

The Braves could try and bring Culberson back for a lower salary than his projected arbitration figure, but Culberson is also now free to negotiate with any other MLB club.

Murphy was acquired by the Braves on July 31 and played in just one game for the Braves. Ortega hit .205 in his 34 games with the Braves last season with two home runs and 10 RBI. Ortega’s biggest hit was a grand slam against the Dodgers in August.

Seven players are now eligible for arbitration this winter. The Braves will swap figures with Mike Foltynewicz, Grant Dayton, Shane Greene, Luke Jackson, Johan Camargo, Dansby Swanson and Adam Duvall.

Atlanta’s 40-man roster now stands at 37 players.