Lucas Harrell traded

[bravesnumberone]

I'm a fan. We really need power. Hopefully he can contribute in a couple years.

[ramadon101]

yup and California league hitting stats tend to have a big fudge factor. dont share the consensus this was a great deal. Alvarez is pretty special imo.

Completely disagree that it's not a great deal. I'm not contesting that Alvarez wasn't effective as a good RP, but relievers as a collective group are very volatile outside of a very small band of excellent RPs (who are often long term closers but even they fluctuate from great to above average from year to year). To get a team's top 10 prospect and a former 1st or 2nd round pick for a reliever (I'm not even counting Harrell since I think Alvarez was the real "get" for Texas here) is almost always a great deal when measured in the present, whether or not the particular prospect flames out ultimately or not.

[PurpleBrave]

Doubt it, from what I heard he wasn't in the top 20 for the Rangers

He's been rising up a lot of charts

Here's BA's take...sorry if it's already been posted

http://www.baseballamerica.com/major...M2MQTFfcLQ1.97

[msstate7]

So, think he'll be at Carolina?

[Braves1976]

Here's a take on the trade from fangraphs (Sullivan clearly likes Alvarez a lot for Texas): http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/range...al-relief-ace/

[drewdat]

So, think he'll be at Carolina?

Bowman has reason to believe so.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Looks raw at 3b but I like his short swing

[emk418]

great return!

[Southcack77]

He's been rising up a lot of charts

Here's BA's take...sorry if it's already been posted

http://www.baseballamerica.com/major...M2MQTFfcLQ1.97

Ha perhaps in 9 years a Texas message board will be arguing about whether it was worth it to trade a prospect for a borderline fifth starter and a reliever in an ill fated attempt to try and make the payoffs.

[mqt]

My favorite part of this trade is the process. This is exactly what we need to be doing this year: flipping pieces that hold value to contending teams for high upside prospects. That combined with the fact that the players we flipped were reclamation projects in an area of strength and that they were dealt for a power bat make this trade an A+ for me.

[Horsehide Harry]

Can't really find fault with this trade.

Harrell was the definition of replaceable. Alvarez may have some future value, but my view on relievers is that if they aren't closers, then they are very movable almost anytime (unless you have a legit shot to win).

Demeritte reminds me a little of Baez of Chicago.

[KB21]

I get some thinking his HR total is inflated due to the league he is in. He has hit 25 home runs in a hitter friendly league. The 2nd highest total this year is 16 home runs. The fact that he has 9 more than the 2nd highest total suggests that his power potential is legit despite the league.

To put it in perspective, in 336 ABs, Hunter Renfroe hit 16 HR in the California league 2 years ago. He's one of the best power hitters in the minors.

[Russ2dollas]

I don't know that I'd say "far away." Both seem to have similar timelines around mid 2018.

I don't think so. Hit tool is a question with both. Bat speed a question with Riley. K rate an issue.

You don't have to do a level a year but if you do they are 2,and 3 years away if all goes well

I think 19 and 20

[Russ2dollas]

Can't understand anyone not loving this

I grant you it's more likely than not he is never a mlb player. But we flipped replacement level players for a rh power bat.

Everyone is asking for a rh power bat

Keep flipping

[Carp]

I don't think so. Hit tool is a question with both. Bat speed a question with Riley. K rate an issue.

You don't have to do a level a year but if you do they are 2,and 3 years away if all goes well

I think 19 and 20

Demeritte may finish this year in AA if he keeps hitting well. At the very least, you'd expect him to start 2017 in AA and likely spend the entire season there. Then start 2018 in AAA with a chance for a mid-season call up. I think that's pretty reasonable assuming normal progression.

Granted it is a bit aggressive on Riley, but I think he's the type of prospect the front office will consistently try to challenge as long as he keeps performing well. I see him in AA mid way through 2017.

[clvclv]

I saw this update on my phone on the way home from the clinic. I was thinking "how in the world did we get Demerritte for Harrell/Alvarez?

Talking about taking two scrap heap guys and getting a legit prospect who was in the futures game for them!!

Did ya get everything taken care of?

[yeezus]

Of course, I'm lovin' this deal.

[UNCBlue012]

It was awesome reading Harrell's comments on the Braves. He seemed really appreciative of his time here and loved the organization. It's awesome to see guy's like that get traded somewhere that he can make an immediate impact.

[50PoundHead]

I believe the stat inflation in the California League is due to bigger ballparks, which tend to suppress HRs but inflate everything else. Same for the PCL.

Anyway, sounds like a decent deal. Plus, the guy we got is a movie star.

[sturg33]

I'm a fan of this deal as well... even if the guy never sniffs the majors