The Atlanta Braves cut ties with 300 game winner Tom Glavine and traded for All Star outfielder Nate McLouth all in one day today. The moves show that the Braves think they can win and win now. As of June 3, the Braves are five games out of first in the National League East, trailing only the Phillies and the Mets. This baseball move is one that caught many off guard.
Giving Glavine his release was not entirely a surprise as he had struggled in three minor league starts. The Braves were the team that Glavine gathered the vast majority of his career wins with, and he is one of the most beloved pitchers in the team’s history. Glavine was a key member of the rotation that included John Smoltz and Greg Maddux back in the days when the Braves were in the playoffs every year.
The Braves had brought Glavine back this season in spite of his offseason surgery in the hopes that he could return to form. The rehab did not go as they had hoped and so they were forced to cut ties with the aging pitcher. Glavine will be missed and it is unclear if he will attempt to sign with another team.
The trade for McLouth was a bit unexpected, and a welcome bit of news for Atlanta Braves fans. McLouth is a budding five tool superstar that will instantly give the Braves some sorely needed offense. McLouth set career highs in virtually every offensive category last season, and he should do well in the center of the Brave’s lineup.
McLouth is also a fantastic outfielder and defensive player which the Braves needed as well. The outfielder uses outstanding speed and even better instincts to chase down balls that others do not reach. That speed also has led to the highest stolen base percentage in the league over the last several years. That speed on the bases will be a huge boost to a line up that is not overly fast.
McLouth was signed from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for three minor league players. Oddly, McLouth was the only real star in the Pirate line up. It is a move that will help the Pirates in the long term, but in the short term it could hurt them badly. Regardless of the situation, the Braves have come out smelling like a rose. They get a five tool player, and he is signed to a multi year deal already. McLouth could just be the puzzle piece that the Braves need to become a serious contender.
With the signing of McLouth and the release of Glavine, it has to be a bittersweet day in Atlanta, Georgia today.
