The Braves opened MLB"s Winter Meetings by adding another young, high-ceiling player to the their roster, former #6 overall draft pick and Top 5 prospect in all of MLB Jarred Kelenic OF, as if they didn't already have enough of those. Kelenic struggled with the transition to MLB but improved last season with a .253/.327/.419, 11 HR, 13 SB, 416 PA but with a 31% K rate. As part of the 5-players swap, the Braves take on some modest salary obligations in Marco Gonzalez LHP and Evan White 1B/OF. White himself is a former first round draft pick but has struggled to hit even more than Kelenic.
The Mariners receive two RHP's, Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips. Kowar is a former #33 overall draft pick who has struggled at the MLB level with the Royals. He was recently traded from the Royals to the Braves for Kyle Wright RHP. Phillips was drafted in 2022 but has yet to play a pro game due to a prolonged IL stay, presumably TJ surgery.
This trade could end up as inconsequential for both teams, but the upside is all with Jarred Kelenic and the Braves. If he breaks out and plays up to his potential, the Braves have a stud, 5-tool OF for years to come. If that comes to pass, Alex Anthopoulos will be cemented as one of to best, if not the very best GM in MLB, if he isn't already.
Really really strange trade. I don't know what Jerry Depot was thinking here. The salary dump he got wasn't even that good.
ReplyDelete- Fan
Apropos of nothing in this or any recent posting, any idea what ever became of Rohan Handa? (2021 Rnd 5.)
ReplyDeleteHad high hopes for that name, at least.
Kelenic is on the cusp of a breakout. With all the trades FZ has pulled off with the M’s why couldn’t he have made this one? Kelenic’s upside is better than any OF on our roster and he was available from a team we deal with all the time.
ReplyDeleteKelenic might be on the cusp of a breakout. I am sure that is what AA is thinking. On the other hand FZ might think the last thing he needs right now is another young hitter with a 30% K rate.
DeleteKelenic might be on the cusp of a breakout. But after a hot April he's been dead cold. So what are you basing your hunch on? And AA will look like a genius if he does break out. But I'm sure AA made the trade knowing that a strong side of a platoon in LF with 100 wRC+ and okay defense is pretty much okay with him. Anything more is gravy.
DeleteWell you could start with his minor league track record which FZ seems to value. His pedigree is elite and he has shown flashes of excellence when healthy. He is a little injury prone which could be the real reason for his second half decline. He is young and talented with power, speed, and solid D. We don’t have ANYONE like that!
DeleteHe's already at around 1000 plate appearances in the MLB. There's no need to go back to his minor league track record. Usually top prospects break out before 1000 PAs. Sure, he's still young so there is still some room for a breakout. And being on a team where he's a nobody and batting like 7th or 8th might help take the pressure of him. Steamer projects him for 1 WAR so yeah, there's a lot of room for reservations.
DeleteFollowing the Shohei Ohtani free agency has been pretty dull since the teams in the running were sworn to secrecy regarding meetings at the request of Shohei's agent otherwise it will be held against the team it was shocking today that Dave Roberts admitted that the Dodgers had their meeting with Shohei's camp. It made me laugh! I hope it costs the Dodgers their shot to sign Shohei and improves the Giants chances.
ReplyDeleteThat would be funny. Sounds like Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes was not too pleased with Roberts spilling the beans.
DeleteEither one's statements mean something or they don't...
ReplyDeleteSince the Dodgers a̶r̶e̶ were the favorites, if Ohtani goes there, secrecy only applied to everyone else.
The Athletic's Baggardly on this: "Remember that Ohtani’s free agency is being conducted with more clandestine plot devices than a John le Carré novel, including the reported warning to clubs that leaks will have consequences."
ReplyDeleteOhtani's decision vis-a-vis LAD will have repercussions: If he goes to them then this was all BS and most likely decided before the charade; if not, LOL, take that, Blue!
Padres send Soto to Yankees for 4 pitchers (Michel King and 3 prospects) and a journeyman catcher.
ReplyDeleteThe 3 pitching prospects were Yankees #'s 11, 15, & 17
Along with Soto, Yankees get CF Trent Grisham