Braves 2019 Trade Deadline Thread

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

Further strengthening their attempt to do more than win a second straight National League East title, the Braves significantly improved their bullpen by acquiring Shane Greene and Mark Melancon before Wednesday afternoon’s Trade Deadline.

Greene was acquired from the Tigers in exchange for two Minor Leaguers -- left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz (Braves' No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline) and outfielder Travis Demeritte. The need to include Wentz was necessitated when the Dodgers and Nationals made a late push for Detroit’s closer. Atlanta had initially hoped to get this deal done at the cost of Demeritte and Minor League catcher Alex Jackson.

Melancon was acquired from the Giants in exchange for right-handed reliever Dan Winkler and right-handed prospect Tristan Beck (Braves’ No. 17 prospect).

Spoiler:

“We feel confident we’re a better club,” Anthopoulos said. “How much better? That’s still hard to say. Even if you are better, you still have to play between the white lines and things need to break right. You need the other parts of the club to do well. At the minimum, we feel we made the bullpen a lot stronger today.”

In exchange for three significant and much-needed bullpen upgrades, the Braves had to part ways with just three of their top 30 prospects. To get Melancon at this price, they assumed responsibility of the approximate $18.7 million he is owed through the end of the 2020 season.

Like with Melancon, the Braves will have control of Greene through the end of the 2020 season. Greene is owed approximately $1.3 million over the remainder of this year. His current $4 million salary will increase this winter, when he prepares for his final arbitration-eligible season

Atlanta’s new top bullpen trio -- Greene, Melancon and Martin -- have combined to allow 36 earned runs over 122 1/3 innings this year. The Braves former top relief trio -- Jackson, Anthony Swarzak and Sean Newcomb -- have combined to allow 15 earned runs over 18 innings since the All-Star break.

[Nemesis21]

The Tigers called up Demeritte today. Good for him! He just wasn't going to get a chance anytime soon in the Atlanta outfield.

[Ruzious]

The Tigers called up Demeritte today. Good for him! He just wasn't going to get a chance anytime soon in the Atlanta outfield.

Congrats to him. Yeah, he was blocked at 24 years old, and next year - he might have fallen behind Trey Harris as the next guy up. The Braves did right by Travis to let him go.

[Jamaaliver]

Trade deadline grades for all 30 MLB teams


Atlanta Braves

Acquired RHP Shane Greene, RHP Mark Melancon, RHP Chris Martin, C John Ryan Murphy

From Wednesday night: The Braves had one glaring weakness heading into the trade deadline, and that was their bullpen. GM Alex Anthopoulos went wheeling and dealing, and when it was all said and done, he acquired three significant relievers. We knew he wouldn’t trade Ian Anderson, Cristian Pache or Drew Waters, but it’s incredible that he didn’t have to even part with Kyle Wright, Touki Toussaint, Sean Newcomb or Bryse Wilson.

The Braves’ early work of landing left-handed free-agent starter Dallas Keuchel was a huge acquisition, taking the pressure off them at the deadline to add another starter. The Braves certainly improved their chances of winning this division.

Grade: A

The Athletic

[Nemesis21]

Read on Twitter

?s=20