The Atlanta Braves have traded for two much-needed outfielders, but do the deals get a passing grade?
With Ronald Acuna out, the Atlanta Braves clearly needed outfield help even after acquring Joc Pederson. On Friday, they didn’t stop at getting one more outfielder. According to Zach Meisel of The Athletic, Atlanta will acquire Eddie Rosario from the Cleveland Indians. And according to Sports Grid’s Craig Mish, they’ll also make a deal to get Adam Duvall from the Miami Marlins.
Rosario is currently out with an abdominal strain, and he’ll be out a few more weeks. In 283 at-bats for Cleveland this year he had seven home runs and 46 RBI with a .685 OPS, but based on his longer history with the Minnesota Twins he’s got 20-30 homer pop the Braves can use down the stretch once he’s healthy.
MLB Trade Grade: Braves get Eddie Rosario
The Braves and Indians will share the remainder of Rosario’s contract, and Cleveland will get Pablo Sandoval. Sandoval is a former World Series MVP with the San Francisco Giants. But he was barely playing for the Braves (73 at-bats), and he may play even less for the Indians (assuming they keep him).
The Braves gave up nothing to get someone who should be ready to contribute to a playoff push.
Grade: B-
MLB Trade Grade: Braves bring back Adam Duvall
The Braves will send catcher Alex Jackson to Miami for Duvall.
Duvall is a known commodity for the Braves, as he hit 26 home runs over 339 plate appearances for them over the 2019 and 2020 seasons. They non-tendered him last winter, and he signed a deal with Miami for one year plus a mutual option for 2022. He currently sits top-10 in the NL in home runs (22) and RBI (68). He’s owed the remainder of his $2 million salary for this year, and his $7 million option can be bought out for $3 million.
Jackson has struggled in his initial tastes of the big leagues, with three hits in 43 at-bats over the last three seasons. But he’s still young (25), and he’ll give Marlins an option behind Jorge Alfaro.
Atlanta added right-handed power to their lineup and gave up a catcher who hasn’t yet found his footing as a big leaguer. Let’s call that a win.