The Nationals announced that they have acquired minor league first baseman Nate Freiman from the Braves in exchange for infielder/outfielder Tyler Moore.
Freiman, 29, signed on with Atlanta in December after having a disappointing year for the Athletics’ Triple- A affiliate. In 305 plate appearances for Triple-A Nashville, the first baseman slashed just .220/.279/.321. His last major league stint came in 2014 when he appeared in 36 games (93 plate appearances) for the A’s in 2014, slashing .218/.269/.448 with five homers. Freiman had hoped to crack the roster in Atlanta, but he’ll now look to get back to the big leagues with the Nats.
Moore was put on waivers and then outrighted by Washington earlier this week, so it was pretty apparent that the out-of-options Moore was no longer in the team’s plans. In four years as a bench bat in D.C., Moore hit .228/.281/.401 over 649 PA, with virtually equal numbers against both lefty and righty pitching. Moore has played almost exclusively at first base and left field during his career, though he’s also appeared in nine games in right and worked out briefly as a third baseman this spring.
Just in case Freeman gets hurt again
Rumor has it that the trade went down due to Nate always answering anytime someone said “Freeman”….
Very interesting I guess Boni,Swish and Frenchy are going. Maybe a bigger deal in the works. Remember the Kimbrell deal came on the eve of opening day.
maybe…… but, at most I could see some team decided to pay a wee bit of Swisher’s salary hoping he could DH and backup first or something.. Or even offered a C grade prospect if the Braves pay it all just to clear the roster spot. (which i suspect they will stupidly give to Francouer even tho he is even worse than Swisher at this point)
How is Francoeur worse than Swisher? Frenchy is a far superior defender and a decent power threat last season (especially versus lefties). What has Swisher accomplished the last two seasons?
well, “worse” in the sense that neither will probably be over replacement level but Swisher is already getting paid guaranteed money, can play 1b and a corner OF if pressed (whereas Frenchy can only play LF/RF) is a switch hitter (tho a mediocre one) Neither is much to speak of these days (and seriously, Francouer is below avg defensively, and hasn’t been a decent major leaguer in years (in fact below replacement last season with awful defense)
IMO, it comes down to two guys who will probably both be worth -0.5 WAR over the course of the season but one guy is already getting paid and the other isn’t. Why pay two to be equally awful? If nothing else, Swisher could possibly put up a positive value year again as he actually has a few in his post 30’s career. Frenchy only has 3 seasons since 2005 worth a damn.
Frency was a really good pinch hitter with the Phillies last year something the braves hasn’t had since the Eric henske days. Swish just lost it period.
no he wasn’t!! lol, a 93 wRC+ is not “very good” nor was his 73 wRC+ against lefties. He’s just not a good player. don’t let a few home runs blind you from the truth that is his awfulness
From other sources Moore had already cleared options and been assigned to the minors. If that is true then this was only a minor league deal, Moore took no one’s spot on Atlanta’s 40man roster, and this move didn’t have an impact on the coming decisions on Bonafacio’s, Frenchy’s, and Swisher’s fate.
This is correct. It’s covered in the post linked to in the 3rd para.
Of course, they could still put him on the active roster out of camp if they want, if they free a 40-man.
hmm… well, this is kinda odd unless he accepts a minor league assignment as the 25 man roster for the Braves is already bulging with Frenchy, Swisher and Bonafacio fighting for 1 spot. I don’t see the point of going to all this trouble when you could get equally “meh” production from Swisher who you are already paying.
Maybe the Braves found someone to pay Swish $1m to play for them?
I get that TyMo was out of the Nats’ plans, but I wish they could’ve got a different positional player rather than another 1B/corner OF type. Especially with an inter-divisional rival. Would’ve loved to see Rizzo add another AAA bullpen arm. Oh well, good luck Ty, hope you get some more playing time.