Atlanta Braves trade deadline: A different take on their inaction

To create a trade, the Atlanta Braves must offer players of equivalent value in the eyes of the other team and who fill the needs of the potential partner in the deal.

The Indians wanted to trade Clevinger because he’d become unwelcome in their clubhouse, and he’d reached his peak value. When Clevinger broke COVID-10 protocol, then lied about it to his teammates, the team felt he had to go.

The Indians received the Padres number seven, nine, and eleven prospects, a Major League ready reliever, and a DH/OF/1B in the deal. According to MLB Pipeline. Shortstop Gabriel Arias immediately became Cleveland’s number five prospect, LHP Joey Cantilloe now ranks number 15 in the Indians’ list, and Owen Miller sits at number 19.

The three major league pieces moving to Cleveland went straight onto the roster. Cal Quantrill threw two shutout innings in his first relief appearance. Josh Naylor went 2-5, with an RBI and two runs scored after starting in left, and Austin Hedges came on late in the game as the Indian blew-out KC.

Alex Anthopoulos said after the deadline, the teams couldn’t agree on talent. Most rumors agree the Braves made Drew Waters available in discussions. Lower ranked prospects Brandon Shewmake, AJ Graffanino, and Alex Jackson seem a fair comp to the players the Indians received. However, this deal lacks the thing Cleveland needed most:  an outfield bat.

Unless the Atlanta Braves could find a third team to provide the bat or wanted to send Alex Jackson or Adam Duvall along, no deal was possible.

LATE UPDATE:  Last Sunday night the Indians told San Diego they were out on Clevinger because a better offer was on the table, probably from the Atlanta Braves. San Diego had a late-night meeting and added Austin Hedges and Owen Miller to the package, which was enough to change Cleveland’s mind and send Clevinger to the Padres.

The price was too high.

Early today, MLB Trade Rumors reported that the Rangers wanted an extremely high price for 33-year-old starter Lance Lynn.

"Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos, meanwhile said in a recent radio appearance on 92.9 The Game that his club set a threshold they weren’t willing to cross — much as they do with regard to free-agent negotiations. “The moves that we could’ve made, for us, would not have been good deals,” Anthopoulos said. “…It just came down to — and it’s no knock on anybody — we made the decision that the price for us, we didn’t think that made sense.”"

According to David O’Brien (Twitter link), the Rangers wanted either Waters or Cristian Pache along with other prospects for one year of Lynn.  Pache is untouchable, and even the average fan should know, giving up six years of Waters for 30 starts from an aging pitcher is a bad idea. Once you get past Clevinger and Lynn, no significant starting pitcher was available.

I rarely agree with anything he says, but like a broken clock, now and then he’s right.  In the Athletic(subscription required), Jim Bowden points out part of the reason the Atlanta Braves were unable to make a deal at the deadline.

"The Braves learned at the trade deadline how much value several of their top pitching prospects have lost . . . as they just weren’t able to match up with the Indians in a trade for Mike Clevinger or the Rangers in a trade for Lance Lynn. . . . it was the decline in trade value of several of their prospects that held them back the most."

Knowing the situation, I understand not landing Clevinger or Lynn, and I’m disappointed. However, I have several bones to pick about the roster and their lack of action.