Atlanta Braves trade utilityman Connor Joe to Los Angeles Dodgers

Braves make a trade on September 24

This afternoon, it was announced that the Atlanta Braves have agreed to send Connor Joe to the Los Angeles Dodgers.  In exchange, the Braves receive $500K in international bonus pool money.

The Braves acquired Joe on August 5 from the Pittsburg Pirates.  The Pirates received Sean Rodriguez from the Braves.

Joe was drafted by the Pirates in the 1st round with the 39th pick in the 2014 MLB draft.  He went to the University of San Diego.

The 25-year-old played with the Mississippi Braves in only 20 games after the trade.  He batted .135/.233/.154 with one double, two runs, four RBIs.  He struck out 18 times in 61 plate appearances.

The Dodgers and the Braves are both in the penalty and won’t be able to spend more than $300K on any single international prospect in 2018.

The Giants, Cubs, Dodgers, and Royals are all in their second year of the penalty.  The A’s, Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Nationals, Padres, and Reds are entering the first penalty year.

Though the Braves can’t spend over $300K on one player, that doesn’t mean they won’t be active during this signing period.  Braves general manager John Coppolella will be up to his usual tricks and will go with quantity over quality.

So to sum up the deal made on September 24, 2017, the Braves sent a 25-year-old double-A prospect to the Dodgers for $500K.  That seems like a lot of money for an aging prospect that hasn’t played above double-A.

Next: Atlanta Braves front office / managerial intrigue

I’m looking at it like the Braves won this deal by a landslide.  Yeah, Joe can play the outfield, third base, and first base, I don’t think the Braves saw a future with him.  The 6’0″ 205-pounder is originally from San Diego so it’s a win for him as well to go back home.