Atlanta Braves trade: the master traders get together, send Albers to Seattle
The two busiest General Managers in the game have gotten together and done another deal, sending Andrew Albers to the Mariners
The Atlanta Braves have made a lot of trade deals until John Coppolella’s guidance, but even he can’t keep up with the Mariners’ Jerry Dipoto.
But in a move that kind of resembles a desperation play from a competitive team that has just about spent their farm system, Seattle has acquired AAA journeyman Andrew Albers from the Gwinnett Braves.
Interestingly, under DiPoto’s lead, Seattle had traded 4 pitchers to the Braves (Luiz Gohara, Thomas Burrows, Tyler Pike, and Joe Wieland). In the meantime since DiPoto and the Mariners have claimed pitcher Ryan Weber off Braves’ waivers, and acquired Shae Simmons, Max Povse and Rob Whalen via trades with Coppy.
Today gives the Braves the “lead”… at least in pitcher counts: 5 to Seattle, 4 to Atlanta.
Might it Work for Them?
This actually could end up being a shrewd move for DiPoto to get them through Albers was actually pitching himself in the conversation… the conversation that begins “Who would the Braves call up from AAA to pitch next if they trade ?”
Albers has enjoyed a bit of a renaissance this Summer, with the best ERA he’s seen since 2011 in 52 innings of high-A ball. But the 31-year-old has held his opposition at Gwinnett to a 2.61 ERA with reduced walks (1.42/9 innings) and a 1.15 WHIP.
But the Mariners have had their rotation banged up in a big way lately, a situation that is seriously impinging on the momentum that their offense has built since the All-Star break:
- Felix Hernandez – shoulder bursitis (3 to 4 weeks)
- Reliever David Phelps – right elbow “impingement” (timetable unknown)
- James Paxton – left pectoral strain (about 3 weeks). That’s after a forearm strain earlier in the year
- Hisashi Iwakuma – shoulder (unknown)
- Drew Smyly – flexor strain (still hasn’t pitched for Seattle)
- Ryan Weber – 60 day DL as well
At this writing, Seattle is now 2 games above .500 and tied with Tampa Bay for the second American League Wild Card spot… with 4 teams hot on their heels.
While the Mariners don’t have to add Albers to their 40-man roster, they did outright former Brave Cody Martin, which does create a space.
There’s a Reason…
… that we haven’t discussed who the Braves got back in return for Albers. Nobody is coming back. It’s just ‘cash considerations.’
Albers might not be used much for Seattle, and thus his value – even to them – is limited.
So while Albers might have simply been filling a role for the Braves, that role wasn’t worthy of a prospect coming back.
Of course, the Seattle farm has also been terrible, with even their best (remaining) prospects not having especially good years, so that probably figured in the thinking.
So a decent-sized check (the amount is unknown) was good enough for Coppy, and it likely will give Albers a chance to contribute in a playoff race.