No, not really as he gave us an over .800 OPS at 36 years old. I figure he still has a year or two left in the tank at a high level as hard as he works at his craft. But whether .750 or .800 OPS with his defense that is solid for third and I doubt Olivera does much better overall. In fact, I am not convinced he'll do better at all considering both offense and defense.
Obviously the biggest issue with this trade is the fact that Olivera is already 30, and is already injured a lot. It just seems like the Braves went backwards on trying to rebuild the team. I don't think the trade is terrible, but it's not a trade they needed to make, and I don't know that it makes them better in 2017. If they were going to trade Wood they should have made a run and Price and then tried to sign him to an extension.
Uribe put up an .817 OPS with us at 36 and had a .769-.800 OPS the last two years including hitting .311 last season at 35 years old. He seems to be aging very well so it isn't crazy to think he could have another such season next year. I do expect some decline in that area by 38 but I wouldn't be shocked if he continued playing so well that long either. He had one of his best offensive and defensive years at 35 years old, not everyone declines at the usual rate. Further, I said the same about his age at one point but he's convinced me otherwise.
He did that in 150 ABs with us! Very small sample size! And yes he had those numbers last year, but in only around 350 AB's, which is not a full time starter. So unless the plan was to platoon him at 3rd with someone else, it doesn't make sense. He's also not the safest bet to keep producing at the highest level
I think that's a fair point. I mean, it's not a trade I would have made. I just think we need to recognize that Olivera is an asset though. Some are just writing him off as the 30 year old who won't do anything or hasn't proven himself. I mean he's more probable than not going to be a good player. Potentially an All Star 3B. And the price is right. Also, some on this board aren't willing to admit the question marks that Alex Wood has right now with his velocity drop and questionable mechanics. I mean if you're going to grump about Olivera's age, which is a legit grump, then you also need to grump about the possibility that Wood may not be the pitcher he was his first couple of seasons and the injury risk there is high as well.
thank you weso1!
It is absolutely terrible. Our window to compete is not 2016. This move does not aide us long term. For Wood and Peraza, we certainly could have added hitters that would be in the lineup beyond 2018 or 2019. You can't realistically expect .800 OPS from an oft injured Olivera when he's 35 in 2019.
Braves1976 (07-30-2015)
Terrible trade. So bad I wouldn't mind if Hart was fired. I mean we are rebuilding right? Why are we trading away prospects? I thought teams that were rebuilding traded for young players.....not players in their 30's. By the time we are good again he will be past his prime. I doubt we will ever be good again however. Hart doesn't seem to have a plan, he is just randomly making trades. I mean what is the logic here? Do we even have a plan? Doesn't look like it!
Last edited by ChapelHillMatt; 07-30-2015 at 07:52 PM.
Braves1976 (07-30-2015)
FWIW I've yet to see anyone outside this board say the Braves got hosed.
I'll take the 24 year old SP that's already got a track record of success over the medically questionable 30 year old that hasn't even shown he can own minor league pitching.
I was all for trading Wood, and even understand moving Peraza; I just expected a better return than a 30 year old question mark, an injured reliever, a low level SP prospect that's getting torched and a lottery ticket late first pick.
I wasn't expecting much for JJ or Avilan. I can see a low level prospect for those 2. I just can't fathom the logic of Olivera for Wood/Peraza.
Moving Wood/Peraza should have at the least produced 2 long term starters or 1 sure fire young stud. We got neither here.
I still think signing Uribe for a year or two is a good move. Gives you a bench bat and insurance against both Olivera's health and Peterson's bat.
If Ruiz comes on next year and Olivera is hitting well, I would trade him and target a haul like the Brewers just got.
TXBravesFan (07-30-2015)