Brewers All-Stars have seller’s remorse for Orlando Arcia
By Mark Powell
Orlando Arcia made his first NL All-Star team with the Atlanta Braves. Some current and former Brewers wish he was still in Milwaukee.
Credit Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves front office for getting the most out of Orlando Arcia, who surprised many this season by replacing Dansby Swanson quite easily. Anthopoulos let Swanson walk to the Cubs on a lofty price tag, only for Arcia to do the same amount of damage on a discount.
Arcia, who was formerly a top prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, was traded to the Braves in 2021 for relievers Patrick Weigel and Chad Sobotka.
Both Josh Hader and Devin Williams, who came up through the ranks with Arcia, were thrilled for their former teammate. However, it also led them to wonder what could have been.
“I was really shocked,” Williams said, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He was one of the guys in the clubhouse. He always brought a lot of energy. It was definitely a big surprise when that happened.”
Should Brewers have sellers remorse about Orlando Arcia?
Hader also admitted that Arcia was a great clubhouse presence.
“It’s amazing; I grew up with him in the minor leagues,” Hader told the AJC. “But once he got traded, man, he’s a big personality to have on your side. Hard player, always loves to have fun. That man is always smiling. It’s just fun, contagious energy to have around.”
Arcia has since won a World Series and gained the starting shortstop nod in Atlanta. He started the All-Star Game for the National League, and is one of many Braves leaving his mark this season.
“He’s always been, for me, one of the best defenders I’ve ever seen,” Williams said. “When he was in the minor leagues, I could recall three or four plays that I still remember to this day because I was so amazed he made that play. I remember one time in spring training, he’s playing shortstop, a righty hits a ball like in the 6-hole, and it skipped and hit the third baseman, bounced right off his cheek. And Arcia is just running to the hole already.”
Like many Anthopoulos moves, Atlanta won Arcia’s trade quite easily. It’s a lesson for all teams around baseball — trade with the Braves at your own risk.
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