Braves rumors: 3 assets Atlanta can trade for Nelson Cruz

Braves rumors: Brooks Wilson should entice the Nationals in a Nelson Cruz trade

Just about any of the lesser Braves pitching prospects could potentially get swapped for a player like Cruz. Brooks Wilson is the name to discuss not because he is bad but because he has actually been a very good reliever for the Braves on the farm.

Wilson ranks 20th in Atlanta’s farm system partly because he isn’t even a starting pitcher anymore. Last year, in 50 innings of work at Double-A and Triple-A, he went 3-1 with a 2.34 ERA. He had fantastic strikeout numbers as well, fanning batters at a rate of 15.1 per nine.

Where is he now? He’s spending the 2022 season out with Tommy John Surgery.

There’s definitely a risk Washington would take on by acquiring Wilson in a trade. Tommy John Surgery is no sure bet. For every one player who recovers and pitchers like Henry Rowengartner, there are those who fade away and end up putting their college degree to use.

Wilson, by himself, wouldn’t be enough to acquire Cruz because of the injury. Nonetheless, the Nationals shouldn’t be shy about giving him a chance to rehab, recover, and join their bullpen.

Atlanta, obviously, wouldn’t have much to lose. They need to stay with the present. With a farm system loaded up with plenty of other pitchers, they don’t have much to worry about if they did trade Wilson—unless of course he becomes the Washington closer and punishes them for many years.