Jose Azocar -- Trade Rumors

The Atlanta Braves signed outfielder Jose Azocar to a minor league deal after he cleared waivers following designation for assignment. The 30-year-old represents a glove-first, speed-focused depth option. Azocar owns a career .243/.288/.318 batting average across 420 MLB plate appearances, primarily with the Padres, plus stints with the Mets and Braves. He has stolen 20 career bases and hit 2 home runs in the majors.

Azocar has performed well in Triple-A in 2025, posting a .270/.348/.420 slash line across 113 plate appearances with Gwinnett, including 8 stolen bases and a 10.6% walk rate. His Triple-A career numbers mirror his current output at .276/.321/.416 over 1203 plate appearances. His 88th percentile speed provides significant value on the basepaths, and he is rated as at least average defensively in all three outfield positions, with center field being his most effective spot.

The Braves placed speedy outfielder Eli White on the injured list concurrently with this signing, though the simultaneous return of Ha-Seong Kim from the IL reduces immediate need for depth outfielders given existing bench depth in Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo. Azocar's presence provides insurance for future outfield injuries, as the Braves lack minor league outfielders on the 40-man roster.

José Azocar elected free agency after the Atlanta Braves designated him for assignment on Wednesday and he subsequently cleared outright waivers. The outfielder signed a minor league deal with Atlanta before the 2024 season, marking his second stint with the organization. Called up last week when Ronald Acuña Jr. went on the injured list, Azocar appeared in just two games for the Braves, starting Sunday's game in right field with no hits in two at-bats and entering Monday's game as a pinch-runner, where he recorded a stolen base.

Prior to his brief MLB stint, Azocar spent time at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he hit .270/.348/.420 with 2 home runs over 113 plate appearances. Across parts of five major league seasons, the 29-year-old carries a .243/.288/.318 batting line over 420 career at-bats, with the majority of his playing time coming during his first two seasons with the Padres (2021-22). Azocar has also compiled a .276/.321/.416 average across parts of six Triple-A campaigns and is regarded as a capable baserunner with versatility in the outfield. He is expected to sign a minor league contract in the coming days, with a return to Atlanta considered a reasonable possibility.