Cervenka Traded to MIA

It's hard to gnash teeth over a 26 yo lefty off scrap heap with a high walk rate and cleared waivers.

The pitcher we got was a reasonably high pick. Prob a decent chance he can be as good as hc in a couple of yrs.

Minter and a healthy paco would be a stud lh pen
 
Alvarez is significantly more valuable than Cervenka in my view. Alvarez' K rate and BB rate at the MLB level and MiLB level are noticeably better. I think Alvarez is most likely a middle-reliever, but it can't be denied that he has the upside of a high-leverage reliever if things go well for him (setup man, or even possibly a closer). Cervenka's upside is a middle-reliever.
 
Cervenka was due to implode soon.

Have no issues with trading him.

I'm more mad we traded Alvarez than Cervenka.

This. If the Braves were going to keep a scrap heap LHer, Alvarez was the one to keep.

The Braves probably got a BP arm and that guy we all want to see added to the postseason roster just to steal a base in a pivotal moment. His whole purpose in the organization will be to steal 1 base during a title run, and everyone will be glad they traded Cervenka to get him.
 
It's hard to gnash teeth over a 26 yo lefty off scrap heap with a high walk rate and cleared waivers.

This has a precedence in Braves history. Sometime during the late 80's, somebody in the org decided that Paul Assenmacher was not needed. The concept of a situational LH reliever was not fully developed then, but was becoming clear. In those days, complete games pitched by starters was not uncommon, and was, in fact, part of the regular job description. Otherwise, a starter was expected to go around 7 innings. So, the LH relieve would make a full inning appearance, rather than facing just one batter. You'd have starter go 7, then middle relief and hand off to the closer.

Assenmacher continued to be effective with the Cubs after the trade. Mike Stanton was coming up. Yes, he was very good in similar role, but he wasn't held onto for very long either. During this same period of time, Ed Olwine was sort of a baby Assenmacher.

Now, as we all know, any reasonably talented LH reliever can make a fairly decent living. On the surface, though, they're a dime a dozen.
 
I fail to see how this deal would disappoint anyone. Neither prospect are likely to be stars but they have some tools and are a whole lot more than I thought we'd get for a LOOGY who may implode at anytime that we literally picked up off the independent league scrap heap.
 
I fail to see how this deal would disappoint anyone. Neither prospect are likely to be stars but they have some tools and are a whole lot more than I thought we'd get for a LOOGY who may implode at anytime that we literally picked up off the independent league scrap heap.

I get the feeling we could sign & trade Albie Lopez for a top 100 prospect and some would be upset
 
I am really having a difficult time understanding why anyone would object to this trade. Mader and Seymour could be longshots, but Cervenka is a LOOGY at best and someone like Marksberry could easily develop into an option in that department.

I just wish the front office/pro scouting staff could find hitters at the margins the way they have been able to identify fungible pitchers.
 
Back
Top