Braves Trade For Reliever Scott Linebrink

Per the AJC.com, the Braves acquired reliever Scott Linebrink from the Chicago White Sox. The Braves gave up talented (though not top-echelon) prospect pitcher Kyle Cofield.

Linebrink is in the last year of a four year deal. He’s still owed $5.5 million, but the White Sox are throwing in some cash to help offset the salary.

A few years ago I would have been shouting from the rooftops over this one. Linebrink isn’t the pitcher he once was, as his 4.40 ERA and only 52 strikeouts in over 57 innings would attest.

Frank Wren was quoted as saying that the Braves still liked Linebrink’s stuff and that the Braves were looking for him to fill the leadership role held by Billy Wagner in 2010.

If the White Sox covered enough of his salary to ensure the Braves can still address their bench issues, then I guess this looks like another good deal. What do you think?