Perspective on the Atlanta Braves rebuild

The Heartburn

The only real complaints surround trading Craig Kimbrel, Andrelton Simmons, Alex Wood, Evan Gattis, Justin Upton and Jason Heyward.  The basis for the complaints being those were very good players that the fans loved. The only trade I suspect they wish they had back is that of Alex Wood.

A rebuilding team doesn’t need a world-class closer and Melvin Upton was an albatross around the team’s neck and a burden on the payroll. Looking back they could certainly have received a boatload of prospects for Kimbrel if they had held on to him. However, opportunity to divest themselves of the albatross and his contract was unlikely to come again so deal was done.

Atlanta Braves

Evan Gattis brought the team Mike Foltynewicz and to a lesser extent Rio Ruiz.  While I and others underestimated his catching ability, Folty is a fair return for Gattis.

Heyward and Justin Upton were not going to sign back with the Braves. A look at their contracts will tell you that there’s no way the payroll could handle contracts that size.. JUP brought us a former Top ten draft pick in Max Fried, a pair of Petersons and Mallex Smith.

Heyward turned into Ender Inciarte, Dansby Swanson and Aaron Blair.  It’s my belief based on his statement upon being traded – or lack of such – that Simmons was an unhappy player. The Braves aren’t in the habit of keeping unhappy players and moved him quickly.

I believe they could have gotten more elsewhere however such things are usually handled swiftly by all clubs. Sean Newcomb is not an equivalent talent so far as Coppy suggests and the other players have moved on. Newcomb does however appear to be a solid middle of the order arm going forward and that has value.