The Braves have acquired outfielder Preston Tucker from the Astros, per an announcement from the Atlanta organization. Cash or a player to be named will go back in return. To open 40-man space, the Braves designated righty Luke Jackson.
Tucker is an interesting addition for a Braves organization that recently shed regular corner outfielder Matt Kemp. The young, left-handed-hitting Tucker is a possible platoon piece. He might pair with Lane Adams, for instance, if the organization decides it’d prefer to keep top prospect Ronald Acuna at Triple-A to open the season.
It’s certainly possible that Tucker could still turn into a valuable big league asset. The 27-year-old slashed .250/.333/.465 with 24 long balls in 569 Triple-A plate appearances in 2017. He has also shown an ability to hit the ball out of the yard in the majors, having popped 13 long balls in 323 plate appearances in 2015, though he also managed only a .297 OBP in that run, struggled badly in the ensuing season and has not seen the bigs since.
As for Jackson, the writing was likely on the wall as the Braves began committing 40-man spots to other relievers over the winter. The 26-year-old has a big fastball and managed a decent 10.2% swinging-strike rate in 2017, but managed only 5.9 K/9 against 3.4 BB/9 along with 4.62 ERA over 50 2/3 innings in his first extended MLB action.
Meh. Hold down the fort until it’s Acuna time.
Agreed. It is a really good pickup as far as depth goes for this year though. If he finds his stroke, he could even fill in that 3rd outfield spot in 2019 along with Enciarte and Acuna once Markakis leaves to free agency.
U think?
Nice. Braves fans can save some coin by dusting off their old Michael Tucker jerseys. Boss!
Ahh good pick up. I said a couple days ago for the braves to go get him. I think he’s worth the risk even though he has struggled in the pros. Maybe a good bench piece or he can figure it out in the minors. Sucks for Jackson though. God he sucked but a high ranked prospect at one point that you just keep hoping he would figure it out.
Not a bad pickup depth piece catch lightning in a bottle
I’m just happy to see that he will have an opportunity to play. Houston has a bit of a Logjam in position player space. Just a Bit
I’m hoping we do it again with the Astros and flip a pitcher like Wisler and a non-top 30 prospect for Colin Moran. Same reasoning
No way Acuna ends up on the Opening Day roster. That would be stupid.
Yea. I would be shocked unless he destroys it’s in spring training
Not even then. Keep him down 4 weeks and an extra year of control. Not really a choice there unless we’re competing in 2018.
Why do people not understand this
I understand why casual fans don’t get it, but if you are on this site and don’t realize that sacrificing 4 weeks in a non-competitive season will get you an entire additional year out of a top player during a competitive run, you are delusional. Selfishly, I’d love to see him opening day because I’ll most likely be at Suntrust, but that would be a foolish move by the brass. It won’t happen.
yeah even if we were loaded this year, you still don’t trade four weeks for a year. especially how contracts are exploding, it could be a $25m decision at a future date if he progresses.
Exactly
Braves fans should be happy about this move. There are lots of PT fans who feel he didn’t get a fair shake. After a solid 2015 rookie campaign, he started 2016 as the DH and delivered a bunch of extra base hits. Then Gattis came back from injury and they benched Tucker. He was never the same.
He should be a useable major league OF. He can’t play defense, run, or get on base for a high average, but he’s got pop.
I get why the Astros made the move. I hope Tucker has a nice career.
How do you classify him as a “solid player” if he can’t play defense, run or get on base???
solid (adj): firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid
He’s solid.
I dunno. He may be a T1000
LOL I wonder how many won’t get the Terminator reference.
If he has a big spring training that wouldn’t be the least bit stupid.
Tucker is a good hitter, and he’s lost some weight so he’s running better. I would expect decent numbers for this type of pick up. 20ish homeruns, 65-75 rbi and .250 avg which is pretty in line with what he did in AAA.
A LH hitter can really benefit from SunTrust’s dimensions.
Best comment on the board! Short porch for LH hitters. Adams certainly liked it enough to net him $4m to play on the Nats bench.
Give Dustin Peterson a chance
Sign Frazier 3B for 42mil for 3yrs.Flip him next year. Trade for Realmauto\\\\\\\Flowers and Muller,Jackson,Tarnok and Demeritte.
You’re drunk, go home.
That Gwinnett team is gonna be so awesome
Good pick up ! I see him making the team out of spring training.
AA should trade with Marlins\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Swanson,Allard,,I.Anderson,Demeritte,Wisler,Markakis and Kazmir FOR Yelich,Prado and Castro. Albies can play SS better than Swanson.