The MLB non-waiver trade deadline was today at 4 p.m.
With the likes of the Red Sox, A’s, Tigers and Cardinals doing deals like nobody’s business, it seemed the last day of July, this year, would produce a flurry. Everyone, it seems, got in on the action. Big markets; small markets. Contenders or bottom dwellers.
I was afraid things mighty get lonely, though, in one part of the country: Braves Country.
If the annual trade deadline is akin to Christmas shopping, then the Bravos remind me of a shopper who spent all their funds on Black Friday sales only to miss out on the really good deals Christmas Eve. Then, at the last minute, they pulled some funds out of the Christmas Club account and made one last shopping trip to the mall just before the clock struck.
Bat for the bench? Situational lefty for the bullpen. Check and check. Good deals.
After watching this bullpen implode on Tuesday night, you knew a boost to the bullpen would be a good idea for a team hoping to make post-season. After losing another one run game last night, you were convinced a bat off the bench would boost the team’s chances.
In the game of “Deal or No Deal” MLB-style, Atlanta went right up to the 11th hour before acquiring LHP James Russell and speedy IF/OF Emilio Bonifacio from the Cubs in exchange for minor league prospect Victor Caratini.
Like procrastinating holiday shoppers, these shoppers made their acquisition just at the deadline.
It’s hard to say whether this trade will make or break a team that is still in the thick of the pennant race despite losing a number of close games. It certainly shows the fan base in Braves Country that the team is still committed to making an effort.
JG
Originally posted 7/31/2014
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