Braves: Old friend Sean Newcomb traded to Oakland

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MLB insider Robert Murray reports the A’s have acquired Sean Newcomb from the Giants in exchange for Trenton Brooks.

Because of the trades for Matt Olson and Sean Murphy, a ton of familiar faces and old farmhands are currently playing out in Oakland. Unfortunately for the A’s, not many of them have had much success, but they are trying yet again with a former member of Atlanta’s rotation.

Pitching prospects are incredibly difficult to evaluate because they are so volatile, especially early in their careers, and Sean Newcomb is a prime example of that.

The 6-foot-5 southpaw was the centerpiece of the deal that sent Andrelton Simmons to the Angels. Newcomb made his debut in 2017 for the Braves and started out the 2018 season looking like someone with frontline starter potential. However, inconsistencies caused the Braves to move him to the bullpen in 2019, where he again had a ton of success, but it was all downhill after that.

The organization attempted to make Sean Newcomb a starter again in 2020, but it failed. Then he went back to the bullpen in 2021, but it was also unsuccessful. He was officially out of whack, and after giving him one last crack in 2022, the Braves shipped him to Chicago in return for Jesse Chavez early in the season. Newcomb’s struggles continued in the Windy City, posting a 9.13 ERA over 17 appearances, and he’s yet to pitch in the majors again since.

Now 30-years-old, Newcomb is running out of opportunities. However, he has looked good on the farm for the Orioles, posting a 3.15 ERA. This could be his final shot with the A’s, and Lord knows, they could use some help in the pitching department. I’ll be rooting for Sean Newcomb from afar; he’s always had elite stuff, but sometimes, that isn’t enough to make it at the major-league level.

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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire

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