Atlanta Braves newest acquisitions Preston Tucker and Brandon McCarthy respond to trade

Braves have made a few trades recently, and the new players have spoken

Under the last regime, many people took count of how many trades former GM John Coppolella had made OR the time since the last trade was made.  If you’re tallying up the score of Alex Anthopoulos or would like to start, he’s up to four trades in his first month and a week on the job.

The big trade came on Saturday when he traded away Matt Kemp and that contract to the LA Dodgers.  If you’re just catching up, the Braves received back Charlie Culberson, Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and cash for Kemp.  Gonzalez was quickly DFAd, but the other three players are ours to build off of…well, hopefully.

Kazmir didn’t play at all in 2017 because of a hip injury and his health as we’re about to turn the page into 2018 is unknown.  He could be fully healthy and head into Spring Training with the Braves competing for a spot.  Or he could still need time.

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I think we’re all counting on Culberson to be that utility guy the Braves have always loved.  He can play multiple positions and he’ll pinch hit.  The 28-year-old struggled at the plate last year (until September/October), but has a career batting average of .240 as a pinch hitter.

A .240 batting average as a pinch hitter isn’t spectacular, but to put into contrast, Jace Peterson’s career BA as a PH is .216 and Danny Santana’s has a .208 career batting average.  I’ll count Culberson as an upgrade.

Brandon McCarthy…what will we get out of this 34-year-old righty?  He hasn’t started more than 16 games in a year since 2014 and in his 12 year MLB career he holds a 4.15 ERA.  His strikeouts to walks for his career is 2.79 which isn’t bad.  He’s struck out 843 batters compared to just 302 walks.  We love pitchers who don’t walk hitters!

McCarthy said his goodbyes on twitter and seems to be excited about his next stop in Atlanta.  Also, had some nice things to say about our top prospect Ronald Acuna!  One more also’s, if you’re not following McCarthy, that should be your next move after this post, he’s great on social media.  @BMcCarthy32

How about that…guess he’s heard about our boy Acuna!

McCarthy will come into the 2018 Spring Training with an opportunity to win a starting spot in our rotation.  The veteran should bring leadership and maturity to the staff.  Hopefully he can teach these young guns a thing or two as well.

Preston Tucker’s trade

No, it’s not Kyle Tucker.  That’s actually his brother.  Kyle was drafted 5th overall by the Houston Astros in the 2015 MLB draft and is one of their top prospects.

Preston, Kyle’s older brother, was also drafted by the Astros in the 7th round but in the 2012 MLB draft.  After winning the World Series, they’re now splitting up families!  Maybe they can send Kyle to Atlanta, that would be nice of them.

Preston will actually come to ATL with the opportunity to win a starting spot, or at least a platoon spot at the beginning of the 2018 season.  It sounds like the Braves may hold Acuna down in Triple-A for the first few weeks of the season to extend the years he’s controlled.

The 27-year-old batted .164 during his time in Houston last year with four home runs, eight doubles and a triple in 134 at-bats.  If you see that number and get turned off right away, do see these numbers.  In his six years in the minors he batted .282 with 100 homers, 112 doubles and 12 triples.  Yeah, the 6’0″, 215 lefty can hit.

Tucker also posted on social media about his time in Houston and joining the Braves.  Give him a follow @PrestonTucker20

Next: Previewing the Braves Untouchables

2018 should be an interesting year for the Braves.  We really don’t know what to expect out of Anthopoulos right now.  Will he do more trading?  Signing?  Time will tell, but I don’t think he’s finished.