The MLB trade deadline has come and gone. While the Braves remained rather quiet, you could say it was like that for most of the league, outside of the Mets, who moved $80+ million worth of pitchers in Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.
Atlanta did swing a few trades but gave up minimal prospect capital. Alex Anthopoulos acquired a pair of relievers and a super utility player but only parted ways with prospects in two of those trades. So, what did the Braves give up?
Braves get: Pierce Johnson
Rockies get: Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon
Vodnik was by far the best prospect the Braves dealt at this deadline. However, as always with prospects, there’s no guarantee he would’ve panned out. Though he was a top 10 prospect in most rankings, the Braves farm system is arguably the worst in baseball, and Vodnik wouldn’t sniff a good farm’s top 10.
His fastball touches triple digits but injuries have derailed his development. As a reliever, he’s much less valuable as a prospect, and the Braves chose to bring in another bullpen arm that is ready to contribute right now.
Gordon, on the other hand, doesn’t have as good of a chance of reaching the majors as Vodnik. He tops out in the mid-90s and has decent command. Gordan’s biggest issue is a lack of a quality secondary offering, but there’s a chance the Rockies coaching staff can teach him one. I have my doubts, though. Generally, if the Braves can’t do it, there aren’t many other organizations who can.
Braves get: Brad Hand
Rockies get: Alec Barger
Admittedly, I had no idea who Barger was before this deal. I’m not a minor league guru, but I didn’t even recognize this name. He throws it in the high-90s with a mid-80s slider but neither is overly impressive. His command is lacking, and he is already 25 years old. More than anything, the Rockies saved a bit of money from dealing Hand.
The Braves also acquired Nicky Lopez from the Royals but didn’t give up any prospect capital. Atlanta traded for Taylor Hearns in exchange for cash considerations and flipped the pitcher for Lopez — another AA masterclass.
There aren’t many front offices that can accurately scout their own talent like the Atlanta Braves. Alex Anthopoulos consistently knows which prospects to hang on to and which to let go. Just think back to the deals for Matt Olson and Sean Murphy. The best player to come out of those trades wasn’t even a prospect and didn’t even go to the A’s as the Brewers somehow landed William Contreras. I expect that to be the case again among these prospects.
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Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire
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