The Braves have acquired another bullpen arm from the Rockies after picking up Pierce Johnson from Colorado last week. This time, they’ve traded for former All Star Brad Hand.
Trade: The Atlanta Braves are acquiring left-hander Brad Hand from the Colorado Rockies, according to a source familiar with the deal. Alec Barger goes to the Rockies.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) August 1, 2023
Hand is nowhere near the pitcher he used to be, and the pitcher he used to be was one of the most intimidating closers in the game. Hand was an All Star in 2017, 2018, and 2019. He would have been in 2020 as well, if there were an All-Star Game that year, because he paced the majors in saves with 16.
Hand was a decent presence for the Mets, Nationals, and Phillies from 2021-2022, but he has had a rough go of things in 2023. Part of it is age — he’s 33 years old — and Coors Field isn’t exactly a safe haven for pitchers. Hand hasn’t been lockdown away from Coors: his surface numbers are about the same, but perhaps the Braves can unlock something and squeeze a little more juice out of what has been an incredible career.
It is worth noting since the All Star Break over seven appearances, Hand has a 1.50 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, so hopefully he can keep that up.
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Photographer:Â Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire
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