House That Hank Built
Fansided

Reflecting on the Latest Atlanta Braves Trade

By Alan Carpenter

Sep 30, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto conducts an interview in the dugout before a game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto conducts an interview in the dugout before a game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Jul 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) reacts after making a pitching change during the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Seattle won 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) reacts after making a pitching change during the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Seattle won 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

A PLAYER TO BE NAMED LATER?

More from Tomahawk Take

This is kind of curious – at least from an academic point of view.

There are a few reasons that a PTBNL might be declared in a trade these days:

  • Because a player needs to clear waivers first
  • Because of a roster issue for the receiving team
  • Because of an injury issue that needs to be reviewed
  • Because the receiving team has been offered the choice of perhaps 2-3 players and they’d like time to review the selection before deciding.
  • Because the choice involves a player eligible for the Rule 5 draft and the Braves want to make sure they actually get to keep somebody.

While it’s probably either the 4th or 5th reasons, I’d like to believe that this is about the second reason and that the Braves would be getting catcher Jesus Sucre.

But that’s almost certainly not the case, for DiPoto had to DFA Ryan Weber to clear space for Rob Whalen. Had a major league catcher been involved, then this would have been known immediately, Weber would not have to be waived, and the Braves would just have to deal with their own roster crunch themselves.

So let’s assume that the reason involves Rule 5 eligibility.  There are a couple of interesting names available:

  • Tyler Smith – a AAA utility infielder.  Hits well, but the Braves have a couple of options there.
  • Catcher Tyler Marlette.  Not a bad hitter and nearly ready for AAA.  I’d take him.

Darn it – they did opt to protect Dustin Peterson‘s brother D.J... not terribly surprising, I admit.  Can we have him if Marlette isn’t available on December 9th??

There is a 6-month window on naming PTBNL, but this will likely be resolved by the end of the Winter Meetings.

Next: Maybe Bring Back an old Friend?

So this was a “typical” Coppolella trade:  obtaining a high-upside, high-risk/high-reward player.  The Povse loss will likely be felt, but it is also absorbable due to the sheer volume of quality pitching in the minors.

Bats?  The Braves clearly need bats…and just got a pretty good one.  We’ll watch this one closely.

Home/Braves News