House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves Trade Gordon Beckham to the Giants

By Alan Carpenter

May 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Gordon Beckham (7) celebrate with first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) after defeating the Miami Marlins at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Marlins 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Gordon Beckham (7) celebrate with first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) after defeating the Miami Marlins at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Marlins 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

In a transaction that might be seen as a panic (Panik?) move, Gordon Beckham has been traded to the San Francisco Giants for the last 6 games of their season.

Yes, this is a surprise.

The Giants are scuffling to keep their heads above water in the National League Wild Card race while continuing to look for additional offense from any place they can get it.  This includes making a deal with a team whose offensive season has mirrored their own throughout 2016.

So naturally, San Francisco turned to the Atlanta Braves to obtain a multi-positional infielder who is hitting .158 during the second half of the season.  The Giants themselves haven’t been doing a lot better – 26th in baseball in fangraphs’ offensive output rating over that same period of time.

More from Tomahawk Take

It’s tempting to say that as Gordon Beckham moves from Atlanta to San Francisco, the batting averages of both teams increased, but that’s both a bit cruel – and inaccurate.

If there’s anything to point to as a reason for this trade, it’s Eduardo Nunez, who is to get an MRI’s opinion on a hamstring injury suffered on Sunday.  The figuring is that the GIants at least want a veteran infielder available to finish out the week so that they aren’t a man short as they push for a playoff berth.

It will be tough for the Giants:  3 games against the Rockies and then 3 more against the Dodgers.  The only possible relief angles for them are that (a) all games are at home, and (b) the Dodgers may have little to play for (right now they are within 1 game of Washington for home advantage in their first round series).

Should they make the post-season, Beckham would not be eligible to participate.  The Giants will worry about that should they manage to stay ahead of the Cardinals.  They are currently a game ahead of them while a half game behind the Mets.  Barring a Fishing miracle, two of those teams will be your NL Wild Card entries.

Native Son

A University of Georgia product and Atlanta native, the 30-year-old Beckham had been with the White Sox for most of his career until 2014, when he got a brief stint with the Angels… then a return trip to Chicago.

The Braves picked him up this season and he declared his goal to be the every-day starting third baseman.  He never really got that chance, and even after the Adonis Garcia‘s poor start and demotion, he only started 10 games at that position all year.

Beckham’s fielding skills have remained acceptable, but his hitting has certainly suffered recently, dropping to .209 in 2015 and .217 this season.  His last hit as a Braves came last Thursday against Miami – he was 2 for 4 with a double.

Next: Catching Up About Joe Odom

The Braves will be getting a gift card to Home Depot or some such establishment in exchange for the plane ticket and six days of Beckham’s services.  Kidding aside, we do wish him well.

Home/Braves News