ATL/MIL

[Atlanta Braves]

ATL SENDS

SP J Samardzija SF 18 18 18 UFA
2B S Castro MIA 10 11 TO 16 UFA
SP J De Leon TB 0.5 1 2 ARB1 ARB2 ARB3 UFA
RP AJ Minter ATL 0.5 1 2 ARB1 ARB2 ARB3 UFA

ATLANTA will be paying 3 mil of shark’s contract all 3 remaining years and 3 mil on Castro in 18 and 19.

MIL SENDS

SP A Heaney LAA 3.77 ARB2 ARB3 UFA
2B C Hernandez PHI 3.83 3.83 3.83 3.83 TO 5.74 UFA
IF N Lopez KC 0.4
OF L Cedrola BOS 0.5
RP L Schiraldi MIA 0.3

While I realize I lose this deal based on the players exchanged, shedding a lot of salary in Shark and Castro was goal number 1 to me while getting some talent back in return.

Heaney who I originally drafted is a favorite of mine. While he has some question marks I believe he bounces back nicely now fully healthy. Cesar Hernandez is a player I like just as much, maybe slightly more than Castro now in Miami, and on a great contract locked up for years. Minter is tough to part with as I see him being the Braves closer of the Future and even with his talent, I am not overly high on De Leon.

Nicky Lopez was a must have in this deal for me. I feel he is a very underrated prospect who isn’t flashy but is just a good all around player who can play multiple infield positions, can really hit, and does not strike out much. (Those negative 1’s piss me off)
Schiraldi is a hard thrower who may find himself at the back end of a bullpen sometime in the future.

I lose some talent here but achieve some goals in shedding payroll and getting some Younger players. Good deal Jerry and good luck.

[Milwaukee Brewers]

The Brewers accept.

Samardzija has always been a bit underrated and is welcomed back to the Brew Crew to lead up the staff.  His salary is a bit elevated but with the Braves paying part of it it's likely a bargain compared to how the FA bidding is going to go.  Castro has more offensive upside than Cesar does and we're getting part of that salary paid too.  De Leon hopefully ascends to the bigs this year and Minter already has.  This team needs arms and this helps in that regard.

As with any deal, it's always tough to give up players the local fan base has come to know and love.  Cesar is one of those players.  He's was drafted by this organization and was signed to a long-term extension just a year ago.  He had been viewed as our long-term play at 2B, but we had to include him in this deal to get it done.  We thank him for his contributions to the team.  Heaney is a young guy recently back from TJS and was throwing gas late last year.  He should be trending up as he gets further removed from that surgery.  Lopez, Cedrola and Schiraldi are all pieces from the farm system with decent upside.  Never hurts to have too many young guys.

Thanks to the Braves for the amicable negotiations.  Best of luck going forward.  

[Milwaukee Brewers]

docced