If this is for a pitching prospect who has had TJ surgery, then Katy bar the door . . .
@Alden_Gonzalez
Sources: #Angels close to acquiring 24-year-old #Braves 3B Kyle Kubitza.
@Alden_Gonzalez
#Angels will get Kubitza without trading anyone from their Major League club, per source.
Last edited by dak; 01-08-2015 at 06:12 PM.
@Braves: The #Braves have acquired LHP Ricardo Sanchez from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for RHP Nate Hyatt and INF Kyle Kubitza.
Sanchez is 17.
Sanchez was Angels #2 prospect. Initial reaction is this looks good for the Braves. Kubitza's AA breakout last year was influenced by a 0.401 BABIP. I like Kubitza, but he was realistically a second tier prospect. Sanchez has a MUCH higher upside, but he's also 17.
Knucksie (01-09-2015)
Interesting trade. I like Kubitza more than most around here. But Sanchez struck out more than 1 per inning pitching as a 17 year old in the AZL. Rated the #16th prospect in the AZL by BA.
One of the reasons I liked Kubitza is that he offered a cheap in house alternative to CJ at third. Maybe he will pan out maybe he won't. But now we have a bigger exposure to CJ.
jpx7 (01-08-2015)
Weird. Kubitza is close and fills a huge need for us. Not the biggest upside but weird trade.
At least we traded from a position of strength and depth.
Since he is only 17, hopefully he will grow another two inches. Lots to like and has the potential to be one of our top prospects in two or three years. Not as good as the Carpenter/Shreve trade, but still a good one and more in line with what the club should be doing under the circumstances.
Some background on Sanchez courtesy of BA. Signed for 580K in 2013. 94-95 mph fastball. Curve projects as a plus pitch. As much as I like Kubitza, I would do this trade.
This photo, however, might push the trade in the Angels' favor.
Introducing...RETARDO SANCHEZ!
holden (01-09-2015)
Buttery smooth delivery, some nasty breaking pitches too.
No doubt Sanchez has a very very high ceiling. Certainly a gamble trading someone so close to the majors for a 17 year old prospect. But we're taking a chance on a guy who could be a special prospect.
I just don't understand the point of acquiring more and more pitching when it is considerably cheaper than hitting in today's environment.
Pure scouting trade. Kubitza may be a solid player....I've liked him more then most here. But clearly the Braves are taking a shot on a guy our scouts love. We got the big upside prospect in the trade.Originally Posted by Enscheff
A spot on the 40 man is also cleared.
Braves1976 (01-08-2015), jpx7 (01-08-2015)
I pretty much agree, esp. for a player so close to the Majors at a position in need. This kid may turn out to be good, but we won't know for quite a while. I liked Kubitza more than most around here and Hyatt isn't a bad relief prospect either.
I have to think the Braves have another option in mind for the future at third and/or are just not as high on Kubitza. Then again with our obsession with pitching this off-season...
Yea I think it's a combination of the Braves not valuing Kubitza as high as some on this board/consider him replaceable but also probably having scouts love Sanchez. I'm fine with this trade because even though Sanchez is far away he could be a very exciting prospect. We just need to cool it with pitching prospects now. Need to start getting bats in the system.
Braves1976 (01-08-2015), rico43 (01-08-2015)
I understand the blow back on only focusing on pitching prospects, but when pitcher development is clearly our strength wouldn't we rather try to accumulate young pitchers and develop them instead of position prospects with whom we struggle to develop?
At the end of the day it's about acquiring as many quality assets as possible. I think we are better served investing in our strengths and then dealing from them when we are ready to compete to augment our weaknesses.
Runnin (01-09-2015)
Maybe part of the thought process was that Peraza is the long term 2B, and the Braves like Jace at 3rd long term more than Kubitza. Kubitza is a high strikeout guy, so that may not have been to the liking of the Johns. Kubitza likely has a better bat, and Jace likely better defender.
If Kubitza turns into a solid Major league third baseman, then even if this pitcher turns out well I could see us disliking this move in the future. It will likely depend on a combination of who ends up replacing CJ, how well they do, and how well Kubitza does with the Angels.
That said, I am going to hope for Kubitza to do well with the Angels but not great where I hate the move. And that we find a solution at third soon and that this young pitcher we got in the deal turns into something special.
Jaime and Constanza may be safe forever. :)
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