Shortly after the Braves series opener victory against the Marlins, it was announced Atlanta acquired Adam Duvall in exchange for Lucas Sims, Matt Wisler, and Preston Tucker
This deal seems to be pretty beneficial for both teams. Duvall has struggled in 2018, but he’s still hit 15 home runs so far (albeit in Great American Smallpark), but he’s a year removed from 31 Home Runs and can provide a Right-Handed bat in the lineup to help alleviate Ender Inciarte‘s struggles against lefties.**
This is also a good move for Matt Wisler and Lucas Sims. Both of these guys need a change of scenery, and the Reds need controllable starters. They will get plenty of innings, however, I worry about Wisler having to play in that launchpad of a park. I have a bit of a sentimental attachment to Sims, he’s been here since the Frank Wren days and was once the highest revered prospect in the entire system. He’ll join former Braves top prospect Jose Peraza in the Queen City.
This deal is pretty great for Atlanta. Even if Duvall doesn’t play all that well, they cleared out some of the clutter in Gwinnett and upgraded the power of this club off of the bench tremendously. Luiz Gohara, Kyle Wright, Touki Toussaint, and Kolby Allard (if he’s sent down after Tuesday) all need to be pitching regularly. This is a low risk, high reward move for a club in desperate need of a power surge against left-handed hitters. Duvall also plays excellent defense. His splits don’t show it, but a change of scenery to a contending club could be exactly what Duvall needs. He is under contract until 2022 and could be a big-time bounce-back candidate.
Best of luck to Preston Tucker, Wisler, and Sims as well. Tucker had a couple of clutch hits to open this special season, and Wisler and Sims saw the worst of this rebuild. Hopefully, these guys get the innings/at-bats they deserve with a Reds club on the rise under Jim Riggleman.
** Gabe Burns of the AJC has confirmed this with his last tweet
“Braves will start Duvall in left and shift Acuña to center vs. lefties. Inciarte was fine with move, said he just wants to make the playoffs.” – @GabeBurnsAJC