The Braves pulled off a true Blockbuster trade last night, sending Shelby Miller and Gabe Speier to Arizona for Dansby Swanson, Aaron Blair and Ender Inciarte.
I like Shelby Miller, I just got this card in the mail yesterday a few hours before this trade went down. But the Braves made a great deal, a steal even according to most national writers:
the price the Diamondbacks paid was “comically high.” - Keith Law
The deal “looks like a clear, obvious mistake” for the Diamondbacks,FanGraphs’ Jeff Sullivan writes.
The Diamondbacks don’t care that executives around the game think the Braves won the trade in a rout,Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. (“Worst trade I’ve ever seen,” said one.)
Swanson is the prize of this deal, he was the first overall pick in June's Draft. "Swanson is a polished and very talented college player who could move through the minors quickly, the way Michael Conforto and Kyle Schwarber did." He's also a local boy from the same town as me - Marietta, GA. I ordered this card and it's Chrome counterpart last night from a seller that had Bowman Draft (releases today) listed already. I can't wait to chase this guys other cards and watch him develop in the minors.
Also the Braves get a rare thing in a No. 1 Overall Pick without having to completely tank. "Swanson joins Adrian Gonzalez and Shawn Abner as the only first overall draft picks to be traded while still in the minors by the teams that drafted them, MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo writes. "
Aaron Blair was a first rounder in 2013 and may be major league ready. "Blair gets plenty of ground balls and has “a hint of Brandon Webb” to him. And Law writes that he would rather have six years of Blair or five years of Inciarte for the three years of Miller the Diamondbacks will receive."
"His 2015 season was his best by ERA. In 13 games with AA Mobile he went 6-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 13 games, and he didn't show much of a drop off with his move to AAA. In 13 games with the Reno Aces he went 7-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 13 games." - Talkingchop.com
Let's not forget the major league outfielder in the trade, Inciarte hit .303 in 132 games last year with a 3.3 WAR. He is a contact-hitting plus defender that should start in CF.
Sorry for the long winded, heavily quoted post but I'm really excited about this deal and for the future of the Braves. Thanks for reading.
Great return on investment for Atlanta - it's not the first time they've gotten some great young talent from AZ.
ReplyDeleteI'd say - one year of Jason Heyward for one year of Shelby Miller, six years of Jenkins, six years of Aaron Blair, six years of the overall number one pick in Swanson, and five years of Ender Inciarte who, everyone seems to be forgetting, is a spectacular defensive outfielder and may, in fact, be worth more than Miller is on a one-to-one basis right now.
DeleteEven better, Dansby Swanson is an SEC Guy. More to the point, he's one of the Vandy Boys.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, if you look closely at that Bowman card, you'll notice that they painted the D-Backs uniform on top of a Vandy Uniform...but they didn't paint over the Vandy guys in the dugout behind him.
DeleteDidn't notice that. Wonder if they bring Minor back would be kinda cool
DeleteIt was the right move for the Braves. Even if Miller had pitched well his value would have gone down because of service time. I couldn't believe the Dbacks threw in Swanson. I really don't think they know how to value prospects. Miller makes the Dbacks better but you have to think they could have made that deal to other teams to get an even better pitcher. Seems like the A's (Sonny Gray) or the Indians would have taken that deal.
ReplyDeleteI saw a similar package was being offered for Jose Fernandez and the Braves pounced. I can't believe it, both teams just announced it so it's officially official.
DeleteI am so very glad that the Cubs called off talks for Shelby. You guys got a major haul and I actually laughed out loud when I read the details. The DBacks seem to be pretty reckless these days.
ReplyDeleteThe Braves now have the Diamondbacks’ past 3 No. 1 draft picks (Blair, Touki Toussaint and Swanson). I thought this was hilarious...
ReplyDeleteHey Jeff, next time you're at Target, you should grab a blaster of Playoff Contenders. I hear there's an auto in each blaster and that there's the chance at Swanson among others. I'd give you a 'report card' on the product, but I haven't been able to track one down for myself just yet.
ReplyDeleteI may do that, ran in today to see if they had Bowman Draft and they didn't have either. Do you know if Bowman Draft is retail this year?
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