Grading the Atlanta Braves 2023 Trade Deadline
Some may view the 2023 trade deadline as anti-climatic for the Atlanta Braves. Here is a breakdown of the few moves Alex Anthopoulos did make and the deadline report card for the Braves.
The Atlanta Braves are 69-37 and are the favorites to win the 2023 World Series. The last time Atlanta won the fall classic in 2021, it took some major moves at the trade deadline to be in that position.
In a way, the 2021 acquisitions of Joc Pederson, Eddie Rosario, Adam Duvall and Jorge Soler set expectations for many people. There was this belief that Alex Anthopoulos would swing big again at this year's trade deadline since the Braves are in really good shape to play deep into October.
This 2023 Braves team has much different needs than the 2021 squad did. Quite frankly, this team does not have many needs at all.
Going into the deadline, the Braves were rumored to be targeting starting pitching and relief help. Anthopoulos was able to add some relief help but decided to pass on starters. With Max Fried returning to the rotation tomorrow, the Braves feel like the starting rotation is good enough with: Fried, Strider, Morton, Elder and Chirinos.
Let's take a look at the trades AA made in 2023.
Braves acquire Taylor Hearn from Texas Rangers for cash considerations
Grade: D+
This trade is a little difficult to grade. Alex Anthopoulos gave away practically nothing to acquire Taylor Hearn. The left-hander had a 10.29 ERA in just 7 innings pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2023. At the time, he had a career ERA of 14.73.
So, why would AA trade for him? Stay tuned and you'll see.
Hearn was given one shot with the Braves and gave up 4 earned runs in just 1/3 of an inning. He leaves behind an ERA of 108.00 as an Atlanta Brave.
Braves acquire Pierce Johnson from Colorado Rockies for RHP Victor Vodnik
Grade: B-
The Braves drafted Victor Vodnik in the 14th round of the 2018 draft. Vodnik did not reach Triple-A until the 2022 season. With Gwinnett that season he had a 2.93 ERA 27.2 innings pitched. However, control was an issue and he walked 16 batters over that stretch. Vondik found himself back in Double-A in 2023 before he went to the Rockies.
Pierce Johnson did not have great numbers for the Rockies. He was 1-5 with a 6.00 ERA in 39 innings pitched for Colorado. Even for Coors Field, that is a high ERA.
This trade earns a B- for the time being due to the success we have seen Johnson already have. In a small sample size, he has yet to give up a run in a Braves uniform. Over 4 appearances (3.2 innings pitched), he has allowed 3 hits and struck out 5.
The only reason that this trade does not receive an "A" is because the sample size from Johnson is too small to say these numbers are the norm for the right-hander. Vodnik has been inconsistent in the minors with control being his biggest issue. He is also just 23 years old so it very well may be too early to tell his true potential.
Braves acquire Nicky Lopez from Kansas City Royals for Taylor Hearn
Grade: A+
We already discussed the astoundingly atrocious numbers Hearn has put up as a big leaguer. Somehow, some way, Alex Anthopoulos was able to flip him for utility infielder Nicky Lopez.
Lopez is capable of playing all infield positions. Brian Snitker does not change the Braves lineup very often and the regulars will continue to play every night. However, having a guy like Lopez on the bench can go a long way down the stretch of the regular season.
There will be days that the regulars need rest to gear up for the playoffs. Lopez will be able to fill in those gaps. Injuries are unpredictable and unavoidable. In the unfortunate case that an everyday infielder goes down with an injury, Lopez is capable of playing every day as well.
He is not known for his bat as he has hit only .213 this season with the Royals in 68 games. However, he has walked 21 times and stolen 4 bases. Lopez very well could serve as a pinch runner in late-game scenarios too.
Trading a more than-struggling Taylor Hearn for a player who is capable of playing so many positions like Nicky Lopez is a classic Alex Anthopoulos move.
Braves acquire Brad Hand from Colorado Rockies for RHP Alec Barger
Grade: B+
The Braves drafted Alec Barger in the 17th round of the 2019 draft. The right-hander from NC State University did not reach Double-A until this season. In 30 games for Mississippi (38.1 innings pitched), he was 3-2 with a 3.29 ERA. Barger struck out 48 batters in that span.
Brad Hand comes to the Braves in historic fashion. He has now played for all five NL East teams. The 13-year veteran and three-time All-Star brings over a 4.54 ERA on the season. He has struck out 41 batters in 35.2 innings pitched.
Just last year with the Phillies, Hand finished the season with a 2.80 ERA. The experience of Hand and proven success over his long career will be a great addition to the Braves bullpen. Especially when a left-handed bat comes to the plate in late innings. Left-handed hitters are only hitting .143 (7-49) against Hand this season.
Barger who is 25 and has just now reached Double-A could have been running out of time to prove himself to the Braves organization. The Rockies felt like he had some qualities that they could build off of and gave the Braves a long-tenured reliever that has had a lot of success at the Major League level.
The Braves could potentially be wondering how much Hand has in the tank after 13 seasons of pitching. This is his 4th highest ERA season in the MLB. Taking a chance on Hand was well worth the price.
Overall Trade Deadline Grade: B-
The fact that Alex Anthopoulos is not receiving an A+ on this hypothetical report card may come as a surprise to some. Factoring in that starting pitching was not addressed and a higher leverage bullpen arm was not added brings the grade down a little.
Yes, Max Fried is back tomorrow. Kyle Wright could be returning sooner rather than later. Yonny Chirinos has joined the rotation for the time being.
Facing reality, it is unlikely that Wright returns to his 21-game-winner form. Bryce Elder has not been the Bryce Elder that he was early in the season. Yonny Chirinos has not proven that he deserves to stay in the rotation.
The asking price for starters at the deadline was astronomically high and Alex Anthopoulos did not think it was worth it. That is understandable. Max Fried will be Max Fried. However, it feels like there could be too much trust being put into Kyle Wright and Bryce Elder to be frontline starters.
Brad Hand is a great addition to the Braves bullpen. He will be able to get outs in big situations. The Braves could have gone a little bit bigger here.
A.J. Minter just came back from injury. Dylan Lee, Jesse Chavez, and Nick Anderson will all return soon. Joe Jimenez has turned into a high-leverage reliever himself with his recent performance.
The bullpen is going to be in really good shape in the coming weeks but one more arm would have been nice.
Overall, it was not as exciting as the 2021 trade deadline but Alex Anthopoulos should always be trusted and the moves he made this season will make the team even better.