The moves Alex Anthopoulos made at last year’s trade deadline saved the Braves’ season and ended up winning them their first World Series since 1995. It really doesn’t matter who Atlanta traded away; it would have been well worth it. However, when looking at the prospects they did give up and how they have fared since the trades, it’s almost comical the robberies the Braves were able to get away with.
Bryce Ball
Ball was traded to the Cubs for Joc Pederson. He was one of my favorite prospects that the Braves dealt before the deadline, but it was worth it for Pederson, who completely reenergized the clubhouse and provided some clutch hits in the postseason. Ball has started this season in AA and is having some success, hitting .275 with a couple of homers and seven doubles. There’s a good chance we see the power-hitting lefty in the majors in a couple of years.
Alex Jackson
The Marlins sent the Braves Adam Duvall for Alex Jackson in what will go down as one of the worst trades in their franchise’s history. Duvall played a pivotal role in the Braves World Series run and is signed through 2022. Meanwhile, Jackson, who hit just .157 for the Marlins in 42 games last season, has already been traded to the Brewers.
Kasey Kalich
Kalich is a relief prospect that the Royals netted for Jorge Soler, who ended up winning World Series MVP for the Braves. Kalich has some promise, but he’s off to a rough start, posting a 6.23 ERA in four appearances this season. Kalich is 24-years-old and struggling in High-A ball, while Soler launched Atlanta to the Commissioner’s Trophy; I think the Braves won this one.
Pablo Sandoval
This is my favorite trade of them all. The Braves netted Eddie Rosario for Pablo Sandoval, who they were going to designate for assignment anyways. Rosario was injured at the time, but he came back red-hot and set the world on fire during the NLCS, resulting in the NLCS MVP. This might go down as the greatest trade in Braves’ history.
Bryse Wilson
At the time of the trades, Bryse Wilson was undoubtedly the most valuable prospect the Braves gave up, and this is probably the only trade Alex Anthopoulos regrets. Not because Wilson is lighting it up — he currently has a 4.70 ERA through 15.1 innings for the Pirates — but because Richard Rodriguez, who the Braves got in return, provided next to nothing for the team and was non-tendered in the offseason.
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