Why The Braves Traded Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson
By Fred Owens
What the Braves Traded For
Minor league righties, John Gant and Rob Whalen were the price the Mets paid for the two veterans. Baseball America ranked the 21 year old Whalen as the Mets 20th-best prospect when the season started. Their scouting report says in part:
"“…(Whalen’s) sinker that sits at 89-91 mph and his four-seam fastball can rise to 93-94. He also throws a slider, curveball and a changeup (with a ) repeatable delivery. Whalen could reach his ceiling as a mid-rotation starter. . .”"
Since moving to A+ St Lucie he’s made 14 starts and one relief appearance throwing 83 innings with a 3.36 ERA, 1.277 WHIP striking out 61 while walking 34. Below is video of Whalen disposing of Addison Russell in the Arizona Fall League.
Gant was drafted as an 18 year old back in 2011 and by last season seemed to find his form throwing 123 innings in 21 starts with a 2.56 ERA, 1.195 WHIP while striking out 114 and walking 40. He started this season AA but struggled to a 4.75 ERA, 1.750 WHIP in his first six games and was sent down to A ball where he made six excellent starts they returned him to AA. Since returning he’s made four starts throwing 23 1/3 innings with a 4.63 ERA and 1.285 WHIP.
Check out the Baseball America evaluation of the trade
So the Braves traded for two more starters who are middle to back end of the rotation arms, don’t they have enough of them?