Jonny Venters Trade Rumors
By Jeff Schafer
Late Wednesday afternoon we heard Ken Rosenthal report that the Atlanta Braves will listen on trades talks involving relief pitcher Jonny Venters. Then the Twitter world blew up….
March 3, 2013; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher
Jonny Venters(39) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at ESPN Disney Wide World of Sports complex, Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Most claimed they wouldn’t want the Braves to trade Venters, others didn’t see the need for it, few said they wouldn’t mind the trade and a couple said to include other prospects to gain an upgrade at the 3B position.
What I think is the Braves should trade Jonny Venters! And this is why…
I believe this is a great opportunity not only for the Braves but also for Jonny Venters. The Braves could be in a great spot with their bullpen this season even without Venters with the improvements of Luis Avilan and the addition of Jordan Walden. Eric O’Flatery and Walden currently have minor injuries but hopefully be back in the bullpen by the start of the season. The Braves could sell Venters at an extremely high cost to other teams because he has experience as a closer and probably could be closer for most teams, even the Braves if not for Craig Kimbrel.
From the trades in previous years and the offseason Justin Upton trade, the Braves minor league system is a little weak. This would be a great opportunity to strengthen the minor league teams. With teams willing to overpay for relief pitchers, I see the Braves getting multiple prospects or a top prospect in return. If a team would be willing to part ways with a top 2B or 3B prospect for Venters, I would say absolutely do this.
This is also a great chance for Venters to prove himself as a closer at the major league level. The 27-year-old has 6 career saves but does have 11 blown saves…but hopefully a team that wants to offer a top prospect doesn’t read that.
The Braves will listen to trade talks through the upcoming weeks but only if the price is right should the Braves be willing to part ways and not just to trade him.