A quick word about 2 trades not making their list
Baseball America has a significant list of deals (including the separate ones bringing Fred McGriff and Justin Upton to Atlanta), but there are a couple of notable deals omitted:
- Mark Teixeira
- J.D. Drew
Drew came to the Braves for Adam Wainwright. Arguably, both teams got what they needed on that deal, though Atlanta only had Drew for 1 year (his career best) and Wainwright… is still pitching.
The question here is whether Wainwright’s career trajectory would have been the same in a Braves’ uniform… or if he’d still be with the team today as he is with the Cardinals. Given the situation at the time (this is already too lengthy to get into that), it’s fair to suggest that neither possibility would have panned out. Certainly, though, his career in St. Louis has been exceptional.
On Teixeira, Atlanta gave up a lot to get him and then they indeed got a lot out of their new first baseman. That part of the deal might have been okay…. at least until they found he would not be signing back with Atlanta.
At that point, the Braves had to get what they could for him, and it wasn’t enough, but they also had no real leverage.
Again: the situation with Juan Soto is different. Get him now and there’s 2½ years of team control. This is also why overpaying for less control (like the Teixeira situation) would not be a good play.
Worth the effort? Check this
The Braves should try this. The reasons for not trying aren’t good enough.
Just imagine a batting order like this:
- Acuna
- Swanson
- Soto
- Olson
- Riley
- Ozuna
- d’Arnaud/Contreras
- Arcia/Cano/Albies
- Harris
That’s World Series-worthy. Plenty of hitting protection up and down the lineup for all of the Atlanta hitters if Soto is added. It also moves Rosario and Heredia to pinch-hit roles, which doesn’t hurt.
Besides… do you really want Soto swinging for another club that the Braves will have to beat in the playoffs?
If the Nationals are willing… the Braves should push in their remaining prospect chips for Soto. they have enough stability and depth remaining to support the major league club… and additional years to rebuild the farm through the draft and international markets.
So let’s keep Soto off the Mets, Dodgers, Padres, and even the Cardinals. Let’s bring him to Atlanta for the next 3 Fall campaigns. Why not try? Alex Anthopoulos isn’t stupid… he’s probably already checked in.