The Atlanta Braves are already the best team in baseball heading into MLB games today. But that doesn’t mean they’re not involved in several trade rumors anyway. Even the Braves have needs, like addressing their bullpen.
Yet, on Tuesday, they did just that by acquiring three-time All-Star closing pitcher Brad Hand from the Colorado Rockies via trade. Robert Murray was first with the news. Here’s what the Braves had to part with to get Hand.
- Atlanta Braves trade: RHP Alec Barger
- Colorado Rockies trade: CP Brad Hand
Barger has been a bit of a project in that he’s both a right-handed pitcher and an outfielder. Only now, the Rockies had him focus entirely on his work on the mound in 2023. He’s 25 and has never pitched above the Double-A level. But he has a 3.29 ERA across 38.1 innings so far this year. He is not among the team’s top 30 prospects, according to MLB.com.
So it’s no surprise to see the Braves being willing to part with the intriguing yet aging prospect in exchange for the 33-year-old relief pitcher. Hand’s days of being an All-Star are behind him, but he still has 13 years of experience pitching out of the bullpen.
His 4.54 ERA doesn’t suggest Hand is ready for many high-leverage situations, but the left-handed reliever can help when needed and is set for free agency at the end of the season. With A.J. Minter being the only left-handed option in the bullpen, Hand’s presence will be much appreciated in Atlanta.
Related: MLB trade tracker: Live grades, analysis of MLB trades today at 2023 MLB trade deadline