Braves trade Mallex and Simmons to M's for Gohara and Burrows

[bravesfanMatt]

I think it is more about conditioning. When he is a fat slob he can't repeat. When he is slimmer. He performs better.

His shoulder was probably a result of Seattle messing with his delivery to help his control.

[Julio3000]

Seems like most of the industry disagrees with you

Maybe that is mallex. I don't think so.
Rays aren't exactly batting 1000 on trades lately either

Go hard is younger than Newcombe and shown improvement in his walk rate.

Totes new nickname.

[Enscheff]

Sounds like our medical staff looked over Gohara's shoulder very thoroughly. He was hitting close to 100 in the AFL... I think the shoulder thing is much ado about nothing. Also, last year in 69.2 innings, he walked 23. That's not perfect but it was a huge improvement. Looks more like to me a young guy "figuring it out" when you look at all his other stats as well. Couple that with his AFL performance, which showed even more control improvement, you have a pretty good prospect.

It's quite probable the Braves saw a guy about to break out and become an elite pitching prospect, so they pounced. Time will tell.

Mallex could turn into Bourjos and Go Hard could turn into Lester. Unlikely, but the Braces would look like geniuses.

Not sure the Braves medical team giving him the seal of approval inspires me with the utmost confidence though.

[zbhargrove]

It's quite probable the Braves saw a guy about to break out and become an elite pitching prospect, so they pounced. Time will tell.

Mallex could turn into Bourjos and Go Hard could turn into Lester. Unlikely, but the Braces would look like geniuses.

Not sure the Braves medical team giving him the seal of approval inspires me with the utmost confidence though.

Sounds like there are some concerns about De Leon's shoulder as well via mlbtraderumors: "De Leon’s shoulder has been a source of concern for some, but the right-hander denies that there’s any cause for concern and said his arm is healthy."

Likely not a big deal, but sounds just as vague as Gohara

[Enscheff]

Sounds like there are some concerns about De Leon's shoulder as well via mlbtraderumors: "De Leon’s shoulder has been a source of concern for some, but the right-hander denies that there’s any cause for concern and said his arm is healthy."

Likely not a big deal, but sounds just as vague as Gohara

I'm guessing that's why the Twins wouldn't take him straight up for Dozier.

[bravesfanMatt]

Sounds like there are some concerns about De Leon's shoulder as well via mlbtraderumors: "De Leon’s shoulder has been a source of concern for some, but the right-hander denies that there’s any cause for concern and said his arm is healthy."

Likely not a big deal, but sounds just as vague as Gohara

Pitcher and shoulder in the same sentence should always be a big deal. It might be nothing, but it would scare me if I was a GM.

[nsacpi]

Interesting thread to look through. FO might end up looking very good on this one.

[Knucksie]

Excellent thread to bring back from the dead! Read the comments about Mallex Smith being 3 WAR. Enciarte was still considered average back in January.

[Hawk]

Jim Bowden piles on the praise:

And finally, the Braves get Luiz Gohara from the Mariners he has the most up-side of anyone traded yesterday. He sits 95 -97 mph and has touched 99. Video game numbers. May have the best pure stuff of any lefty in the minors. If he were drafted today he would be a top 5 pick. However, he has had shoulder concerns in the past, but he cleared the Braves vetting. They also get Burrows who profiles as a match-up reliever with a 88-92 mph fastball and solid slider.

This may be the only time in history that Jim Bowden has ever been right about anything.

[nsacpi]

LHP that can hit 100 and could still potentially start don't grow on trees. I like this deal for the same reason I liked the Alex Jackson deal, and that's because the upside is immense. It's risky, but we've built a level of depth that allows us to take on those risks.

This stands out as the most prescient of the early takes on the trade.

One more observation: the Mariners are a good team to deal with if you know what I mean.

Second observation: The front office needs to engrave the word upside in a prominent place that everyone can see when they come in to work everyday.

[nsacpi]

It wasn't simply flipping Mallex for Smyly. The Vargas kid is a big international signing SS from 2015 who has huge tools. This would be like us trading Mallex and Pache/Cruz for Smyly. Considering Smyly is almost eligible for free agency, don't think he makes much sense for us.

I don't love the trade, but Gohara seems interesting enough. If he has a big year this year then we have a top 100 prospect in lieu of a solid 4th OF. I get the logic.

Another post that has nicely withstood the test of time.

[Knucksie]

This may be the only time in history that Jim Bowden has ever been right about anything.

Some of those earlier reports might still have Gohara pegged right though. Best projection #2 - 3 starter. Conditioning being a potential issue and not using 3rd pitch (changeup) often enough. He could still ultimately be extremely valuable as closer, which would take his fastball to flirt with triple digits. Lefty fireballers dont grow on trees.

[nsacpi]

Excellent thread to bring back from the dead! Read the comments about Mallex Smith being 3 WAR. Enciarte was still considered average back in January.

Your take on Ender vs Mallex looks good so far. But I think its still early days on that one.

[Hawk]

This progression made me chuckle:

I think the M's got a steal in this one.

This is a terrible trade.

This may be the worst trade Coppy has made.

Can you hear me now?

[Enscheff]

What exactly has changed?

Mallex is still a 2-3 win guy in CF with tons of control remaining.

Gohara is still a pitcher with TOR upside, BP downside, and the elevated risk associated with being a pitcher.

Ender is still a CF worth 3-4 wins, and most likely entering his decline phase.

[thethe]

This progression made me chuckle:





Can you hear me now?

Let me quote a bunch of forecasting statistics to show you why I'm still right....

[msstate7]

What exactly has changed?

Mallex is still a 2-3 win guy in CF with tons of control remaining.

Gohara is still a pitcher with TOR upside, BP downside, and the elevated risk associated with being a pitcher.

Ender is still a CF worth 3-4 wins, and most likely entering his decline phase.

Well is gohara still slotted 10-15 for the braves?

[nsacpi]

Let me quote a bunch of forecasting statistics to show you why I'm still right....

Actually, the issue is not decided. Based on what happened in 2017, the trade looks good. But this is going to be a good thread to revisit over the next couple years.

[msstate7]

Actually, the issue is not decided. Based on what happened in 2017, the trade looks good. But this is going to be a good thread to revisit over the next couple years.

I think we could flip gohara right now for more than we gave, so I say win

[Enscheff]

Let me quote a bunch of forecasting statistics to show you why I'm still right....

lol like you wouldn't be pimping Mallex as the next Ender if he were still with the Braves.