Matt Diaz is returning to the Braves, as the Pirates announced they've traded him to Atlanta for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Diaz fits the Braves' desire to add a right-handed hitting bench bat, and of course they had him in the organization from 2006-10 before non-tendering him last winter.
Diaz, 33, is hitting .259/.303/.324 in 231 plate appearances for the Pirates this year while playing mostly right field. He was signed to a two-year, $4.25MM deal in December, but hasn't shown the expected power production against left-handed pitchers. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes on Twitter that the Pirates are sending some cash to the Braves to offset Diaz's $2MM salary for 2012. The Braves might not be done dealing, hears ESPN's Buster Olney (Twitter link).
GMs Neal Huntington and Frank Wren have matched up on three prior trades according to our Transaction Tracker, most notably the June '09 deal that sent Nate McLouth to Atlanta.
ESPN's Buster Olney first reported the trade. Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.
Nice. I always liked Matty.
I think everyone did 🙂
Indeed
YES! Today is a good day!
I guess there is very little chance that the PTBNL is Nate McLouth.
That would contain way too much irony.
That would be hilarious and sad at the same time.
Hell yeah Diaz is back
Matt Diaz might be the worst player in the major leagues…he is so much worse than when you last had him. People throughout Pittsburgh are throwing parties today in celebration!
I’m sure the Pirates didn’t want to pay him $2mil next year when they have similar-ish guys that are cheaper. Good move for both teams.
Maybe he will actually hit a HR for you guys lol pathetic performance with is time with the Pirates.
Matty was pretty decent at hitting some doubles while in Atlanta..that’s all we need.. I still wish we could add a true power bat like Soriano or Matsui. Chicago say they will eat a huge chunk of salary..
You are a bad Braves fan if you want Soriano. I wouldn’t even wish Soriano on the Red Sox if I was a Yankees fan.
-wtk
Well…as a matter of fact…
You are a bad Braves fan if you want Soriano. I wouldn’t even wish Soriano on the Red Sox if I was a Yankees fan.
-wtk
YESYESYESYESYSYYESYSYESYESYEYSEYESYYES!
Solid…
He can hit lefties, that’ll be useful for platooning with Heyward.
We’re pretty solid throughout all our positions now… as long as Chipper is healthy… but now we can play Matt in left and put Prado at third if need be.
Gonzalez… he’s… okay… I’ll live with him; good fielder + experience…
Solid…
He can hit lefties, that’ll be useful for platooning with Heyward.
We’re pretty solid throughout all our positions now… as long as Chipper is healthy… but now we can play Matt in left and put Prado at third if need be.
Gonzalez… he’s… okay… I’ll live with him; good fielder + experience…
Now, go find Adam LaRoche.
Now, go find Adam LaRoche.
“#Braves
also receive some cash from Pirates to help offset remainder of Diaz’s
salary, which was $2 mill this season and $2 mill in 2012” – DOB’s twitter
“#Braves
also receive some cash from Pirates to help offset remainder of Diaz’s
salary, which was $2 mill this season and $2 mill in 2012” – DOB’s twitter
Better yet Mike Gonzalez and the Phillies had a Chance to get him if he cleared Waviers so I guess Soriano then because he can play LF/SS/2B/CF and maybe 3B.
What!? Soriano as in Alphonso Soriano “play LF/SS/2B/CF and maybe 3B”!? That man can stand at those positions and make errors, but play? no his bat is not good enough to make up for his fielding.
i hope that is sarcasm
What a Story, I think I´m going to cry
What a Story, I think I´m going to cry
Matt Diaz is fine but don’t we need a backup middle IF? I’m not comfortable with Lugo nor Hicks, nor Brooks at second if that becomes necessary for some reason.
You obviously didn’t read the entire story/the twitter link…
I did. I know they’re still looking.
I did. I know they’re still looking.
You obviously didn’t read the entire story/the twitter link…
I agree. They tried to get Jamey Carroll but evidently that fell through. I wish they could get Omar back.
I agree. They tried to get Jamey Carroll but evidently that fell through. I wish they could get Omar back.
Braves, enjoy the trade. hopefully he actually hits a few out of the park when back with Atlanta. he had NO power in Pittsburgh.
Lock it up, Diaz will go yard in his first Atlanta AB. He really seems like an awesome person and does a lot outside of the game. Just wish he would have hit better here lol.
Lock it up, Diaz will go yard in his first Atlanta AB. He really seems like an awesome person and does a lot outside of the game. Just wish he would have hit better here lol.
edit
Figured he’d be back in ATL, just didn’t think it’d be now.
Great story however Tim the Braves don’t need to make a move because they are only at 39 on the 40 man.
“The Braves will need to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for him.”
They won’t be when Moylan comes off the 60-day DL here in a day or two…42 players on 40-man (including Diaz) with Moylan and Medlen on 60-day.
Maybe McLouth goes on the 60-day DL to open a spot. Otherwise, Marek can join the active squad on Sept. 1 and go on 60-day DL as well. There’s a few different ways the Braves can finagle things to make all the numbers work.
-C
dfa julio lugo. it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
If they had someone else to back-up SS in the playoffs, yes. Unfortunately, they don’t.
-C
Possibly my happiest moment this season. So much (slightly irrational) love for Matty D.
As a Braves fan I have my doubts about the entire Braves team in the playoffs no matter what the fromt office does.
Great deal ! The Bravo’s have 2nd place locked up now !
go break the luxury tax threshold about it.
Tomahawk chop right back at ya !
Braves biggest offensive hurdle, LHP. although Matty isn’t elite, he is slightly if not absolutely above average with making LHP’s work and getting base knocks. This trade is absolutely perfect for the Braves, irrational fans only see the bad numbers, but if you look at his splits and above all else–His ties with the franchise–you see this is a great trade for us.
–Also to note, I can officially bring back the Matt Diaz Shirt, great day to be a Matty D Fan.
I liked Matt he is a hustler and fits well with this team. We need to find a MI though.
The Pirates need to replace Diaz on the roster
PTBNL=Julio Teheran.
how do braves fans like this? i get that he’s a fan favorite, but the guy’s flat out terrible.