Trade Dudline

I had all but finished my MLB Trade Deadline column in my head. Basic disgust and disbelief that the league rolled over and let the Dodgers walk away with the big prize for a modest return.

But in my mind, and in order to proceed with that blog post, my favorite team would surely have made a trade to obtain the playoff-caliber starting pitcher that has the stated goal for some time. It never occurred to me they would make some good, modest pick-ups but not trade for an ace.

Then, 6 p.m. Monday came and went and the Braves' early moves stood as the only ones they'd make. Braves brass basically blew off any suggestion they had done anything less than what was intended.

And thus, the focus of #CoachJeff's Blog, today, did a major pivot. (Don't worry. I'll get back to the original concept in a future post.).

Don't try to sell the pundits on the company line. As Braves Country groaned in agony via social media, MLB experts from coast to coast proclaimed the Braves' efforts as dismal. Here are but just a few of the links:

AJC

The Athletic

ESPN

Yahoo

Yahoo 2

In none of these articles, or in others I read, did you come across anything like: "That's ok, Braves front office. We know you tried hard and gave it your best. Go get'm next time."

In other words, the trade deadline turned into a trade dudline.

Don't get me wrong, I like the role players they acquired. And no doubt they will make the club better in some areas. However, when you spend the last couple of years talking about how much money you have to spend, how you have the ability to "shop in any aisle" and you talk over and over again about the need and desire to acquire a "playoff caliber starter," then this end result comes up a little short.

I keep thinking of all the fans in the ballpark, all the high-priced beverages they drank and premium merch they bought, and it is hard to reconcile. 

After all, isn't the ultimate goal to bring another championship trophy home as they did in 2021?

It's hard to forecast how the rest of the season might play out. The Braves have some talented starting pitchers. For sure, they could take their game up a level as Grant Holmes did in last night's 4-2 win over the Marlins. They also have a couple injured and rehabbing starters who could play a factor. 

But that's a lot of ifs. 

At the end of the day, here's what this fan thinks:

If you don't want to spend the money, fine. It's your company. Run it as you wish. And if you want want to trade any of the prospects because one might make it big elsewhere, it seems like a fearful approach, but ok. That's also your choice.

I mean. I get it. I remember Adam Wainwright going to the Cardinals and becoming a star. But for every Waino, there is a handful of guys who top out as AAAA players. They can't all make it. 

And if you have a talent surplus, and a team full of veterans in first place–and a real chance to make some postseason noise–doesn't it make sense to go for it?

The throng I saw in The Battery a few weeks ago bringing all that energy and spending all that cash would surely say so.

JG