The Braves and Pirates completed a last-minute deal sending closer Richard Rodriguez from Pittsburgh to Atlanta, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan (via Twitter). Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic adds that righties Bryse Wilson and Ricky DeVito are headed to Pittsburgh in return for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, 31, is under team control through 2023. He currently sports a 2.82 ERA, 22.8 K%, 3.4 BB%, and 29.2% groundball rate. Rodriguez’s only standout ability this year has been avoiding walks, and with so few groundballs he may return to his homer-prone ways. Nor does Rodriguez throw particularly hard for a reliever in 2021, averaging 93.2 miles per hour on his fastball. Rodriguez’s ERA stood at 0.45 on May 25th, but since then in 18 games he’s managed a 5.40 ERA.
Still, the Braves have added a solid, controllable setup man to their bullpen behind closer Will Smith. This month Smith has gotten the highest-leverage work for Atlanta, followed by A.J. Minter and Chris Martin. The Braves are four games out in the NL East, sitting one game below .500 at present. This still leaves the club with a 9.7% chance at the playoffs, according to FanGraphs, and Braves President, Baseball Operations & General Manager Alex Anthopoulos chose to go into buying mode. Aside from Rodriguez, Anthopoulos has essentially assembled a brand new outfield with Eddie Rosario, Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, and Jorge Soler.
In Wilson, the Pirates snagged a 23-year-old righty with 14 career big league starts to his name. Drafted in the fourth round out of high school back in 2016, Baseball America gave Wilson a 50 grade before the season. BA wrote, “Wilson profiles as a back-of-the-rotation workhorse type who will throw strikes and compete.” The Braves had optioned Wilson to Triple-A on Tuesday, but GM Ben Cherington said he should be in Pittsburgh and active tomorrow.
DeVito, a 21-year-old righty, has a 2.66 ERA this year in five High-A starts. FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen and Kevin Goldstein gave him a 40 grade before the season, noting that “if Devito’s pitch-quality improves a little bit he has a strong chance to be a three-pitch reliever.”
Wonder if he’ll close or if Smith’s salary means he has to
Probably split duty depending on match ups
You don’t know ol’ Snickers do ya
Lol, this, so much this.
Smith is the closer. This guy doesn’t strike out enough. He’s gonna suck
Rodriguez is solid (unless he was cheating with foreign substances), but Snitker is hard headed. He will stick with Smith.
I hear Rodriguez is going to play outfield.
Hey now MadBumNLCS or whatever his new name is can shut up!
I love the Mute feature.
His new name is: Ian Theodore Fanthemson
Also previously known as: ACUNAisoverrated or however he changed his name too.
You underestimate him by the way. Now he’s saying the most important need was offense despite all the blown saves and leads. He just wants to complain. He’s like that Indians fan in the movie Major League always predicting failure and complaining even when good things happen.
Not a feature on the app
Just log into the website thru the web, mute, and continue with life in the app
1st person I muted when the feature debuted.
Even they came around by the end of the film.
Good call, good comparison
braves give buccos freddy freeman lol
This deadline is like trying to fit a cinder block into a drain with the mountain of last minute moves, Jesus Christ.
Black Friday! Did the whole site go down or did my computer overload? I’m liking this trade, Braves finally addressed the pen! Way to go AA
MASSIVE W
I’ve been waiting on them to add a bullpen arm. Now I can quit obsessively checking MLBTR.
That’s what I’m talking about Bravos!!!!! Now let’s go win the East.
and then annihilated by LA
Bold of you to assume they even get out of the wild card game lol
He said win the East.
He’s referring to the Dodgers winning the WC.
They bought every player they could…might as well buy a World Series too.
Suddenly trading from your farm when you pick 25 or later for nearly a whole decade is buying players? Hilarious
Can’t wait til a couple of them
Rip a hammy or blow their arms out
Offense should have been their priority. They can turn any of their overrated prospects into relievers.
You have a chance to acquire Buxton and you once again let another guy slip because you are concerned about prospects.
Should have traded Morton and rebuild.
What the… get out of here.
Was hoping Fanthemsome was part of the package going to Pittsburg, but still pretty happy with the deal.
Yeah he woulda looked nice sitting on the IL with Acuna.
It’s about 2022. This year is lost. None of these deals puts them anywhere near a threat. They may win another useless division title because the Mets are trash too, but they will be once again a laughing stock in the postseason.
One game away from the WS last year isn’t a laughing stock by any means.
The postseason is largely reliant on who has the most healthy, effective pitchers.
Yes, nothing like your time-honored strategy of “trade everyone and rebuild, this year is lost” that you repeat every year.
Fanthemson won’t ever be happy with any moves the braves make. Today was one of their best deadline days in years. Braves are now much better than before
The Braves could win the WS in 5 and THAT guy would complain that the Braves didn’t sweep and call them trash.
Go away
So they got three new bats, a new potential closer. They cannot sell the farm for rentals when Ronald will be back next year, Ozuna possibly. You have Pache in the minors and if he can ever figure out how to hit CF is set. Travis back soon, what else did you want?
They got three bench bats who make zero significant impact on the team this year or next.
Dude go lay down, all 4 moves today were good deals for what they have up. The division is completely winnable.
They don’t move the needle at all.
It is really on me though. Every off season/deadline I get overly excited and clearly have expectations that the team clearly doesn’t have. The results on the field and their constant failures clearly don’t matter to the Braves.
Hate to agree with you, but I kind of feel the same way. Are the Braves better? Yes. Did they give up much to acquire better players? No. Did it really, truly, move the needle? I ain’t feeling it.
They were good moves, but when I see what the Phillies, Mets, Dodgers, Giants, and Brewers did … I just feel like the Braves lost ground. That being said, World Series are rarely won by the team with the best ‘paper’ talent, so I will hold out hope. I’m used to being disappointed by teams in the state of Georgia anyway.
My only concern is maybe we could have gotten something back for a couple of pieces .. and a two month rental of Freddie would have brought back a top prospect or two. But would Freddie sign back with the Braves if we jettison him? Risky, and I want him to be a lifer.
Your gm made multiple moves to win the division. That’s the play. win the division or go home. You’re 4 games out! Once you get to October, who knows what happens
What did you want? Freeman gone?
This guys not closing
I know Smith seems shaky, but his is 21 for 23. Thats a 91.3% clip and only Reyes and Kimbrel have more saves with a better percentage.
Closing isn’t the problem, it’s holding a lead in innings 6-8.
I’m a Mets fan, but as a human being, I can’t imagine Ozuna will be allowed back to MLB if there’s any truth to the allegations. They may have dropped the felony charges, but there’s video of him with hands around her neck supporting misdemeanor charges.
Gotta plan w/o him for the future.
Ozuna will never play another game for the Braves
They don’t want any part of that negative publicity
Only thing is how bad that salary effects what they can do moving forward
So since the Braves didn’t get Buxton, they should trade Morton and rebuild??? Tf kinda sense does that make ?
Either you go for it or you don’t. The market for pitchers was high. Morton would have brought in some decent prospects back. The only exception here is if he truly didn’t want to leave or the Rays didn’t want him. Otherwise, this team looks not much different now than a day before from the contention standpoint.
When you have a chance to bring in a potential superstar, you do it. This team is cheap. They won’t give money to high-end free agents. Trades is their market and they are once again staying away again.
Why trade Morton for some “overrated” prospects though? Lolol smh
Ok madbum.. we all know buxton is great but how much do you give up for someone who has only played 27 games? And habitually misses tons of games every year. Additionally, Morton would just retire so all leverage is gone and return would not be what you think. Braves got some bats with all their outfielders and picked a top bullpen piece. Not a bad trade deadline for them
What did they want? If they wanted one of Waters/Pache, you do it.
We really don’t know what the asking price was so just saying the Braves failed without knowing what the cost was is just wrong.
Which means they don’t want to get better.
This applies to everything in the world. If you really want something, you don’t ask whether you should or not. You do it – whatever it takes. I’m not saying Buxton (or anybody really) would suddenly make the Braves a WS contender, but you build on that. You set your outfield for next season, which means more focus on bullpen and rotation (or other way around). Trying to cram fixes for all three positions is hard and unrealistic.
Point is, we see this every year. The free agents are too expensive AND the trade market is too expensive. We have been hearing this since 2018 – we will sign and trade when the time is right. Their window is now and yet they are repeating what they are doing from years they were not competing. These small trades work when your team is set. The Braves have glaring holes in most positions.
They should’ve traded you away from the fanbase, Ian. They could’ve taken on the remainder of the Bonilla deal, a splintered baseball bat or some 3 year old nachos in return; but I’d have supported AA for GM of the year.
Rebuild – good grief. I’m pretty sure you troll for a living
Braves had a nice deadline. i
The Serial Killer heads to Atlanta.
That’s Ramirez
I’m not sure if he’s referring to Richard Ramirez or this dude’s terrifying gaze lol
Okay, now this makes more sense. The biggest need has been addressed.
Thank goddess they finally got somebody to be in the bullpen at 4pm
And what a great goddess she is
Interested in analysis on the prospect. Looks like Wilson instantly becomes one of our better starters so there is that.
I need to know more about these guys too, but at first glance that’s a better return than I expected for Rodriguez.
He’s a bulldog, just needs an extended opportunity.
If he’s good enough to start at Gwinett, he should slot #1 or #2 in the Pirates rotation
As a White Sox fan, I was really hoping they had targeted Rodriguez instead of Kimbrel. Lower trade cost, more control, less salary, still strong results, even if not elite. Great pickup by the Braves.
Look at Rodriguez last month or so. He went from a 8th 9th guy to just a guy. He needs to start using slider more.
I saw someone on here theorize that RR lost his skill when the League started clamping down.
Or maybe he just naturally regressed.
Or maybe he did not have enough save opportunities.
Good move for the Barves as Rodriguez is in arbitration after this year and not just a rental. Wilson is like Wisler he’s good when he doesn’t throw everything middle middle, problem is his pitches pulled by a tractor beam to the middle of the plate. Good game against the Dodgers in the NLCS though. Thanks Bryce. You were worthy of being a Barve.
Gonna miss Bryse.. Been pulling for him since he was drafted. Even got his game used hat from 2018 that I wore every time he started
That’s kinda weird dude.
Not the best return for the Pirates TBH.
I mean, RichRod hasn’t been good as of late. Probably about what they could have gotten for him. I’d have thought they’d hold and see if he improves the rest of the year. But maybe they thought he wouldn’t given the whole banned substance crackdown, etc… as it seems to have affected him.
And hey, at least we got what appears to be an actual starting pitcher to supplement this sorry rotation. And another SP prospect.
Yeah the headliner could be a nice pickup. Not like bull pen pieces are really all that valuable to a team that can’t score runs to protect anyways. I am glad they pulled the trigger this time. I remember 2 years ago Huntington didn’t pull the trigger on a Vasquez deal (asking for Lux or May, could have settled for Keibert or Gonsolin) and a few weeks later he was arrested and we had nothing.
Yeah, Wilson does at least seem to have some upside. We need stability in the rotation and hopefully he can provide it, though his numbers this year aren’t that great.
Gonna be honest, I feel like Rodriguez is on the verge of imploding. The guy has seen a massive dip in RPM since mid-June. He hasn’t been the same since the crackdown. Solid RP still, but I would’ve taken international bonus pool money at this point.
Exactly what I was thinking, They have been protecting him knowing hell’s coming and it’s coming for Rich! Low 90’s fastball without that spin rate is gonna learn how to fly quickly!
As a Braves fan I am disappointed in this. If Iglesias was available and they didn’t ratchet up to meet the price then they should be ashamed. Pirates sold HIGH on this one, and given some of the other returns on the day, they did well.
Example, Wilson is better than either of the prospects the Giants gave up for Bryant.
Bryse Wilson is garbage.
LOL Richard Rodriquez is not all that. The Pirates got a 23 year old SP, who should fit nicely in the back of the rotation and is young enough to grow with the team. I’d have traded Rodriquez straight up for him, let alone get a lotto ticket added in.
Rod throws a cool 92 mph and since Sticky-Gate has been mediocre at best. This isn’t a game changer for Atlanta.
This feels like a dump of sorts. Not nearly what they would have gotten a couple months ago. I thought they didnt have to trade him but it looks like theythought they did. Most of the time, last second deals are the ones where a team is going to trade someone but doesnt get the deal they want beforehand.
I dont like him in Atlanta either. He will give up a ton of HR in the heat/humidity out there.
Dang the Braves are going for some help but not hurting 2022 or future.
I am excited about our deals today
Trust me: you should not be happy you’ve traded for Richard Rodriguez. “Verge of imploding” and “is not all that” PERFECTLY describe him…
Have you seen Atlanta’s relief pitching this year? On the verge of imploding is still represents an improvement over actual implosion.
He fits right in with the rest of the bullpen that’s imploding.
Ahhhh! Not Wilson! Dang! I love Bryse Wilson! Braves have mismanaged him sooooooo bad! Good luck! Maybe the pirates capitalize on him! He’s gonna be a stud! Mark my words!
That said, I understand this deal and glad to have a good bullpen arm under control
He will certainly be given a long, long leash here. He’s probably guaranteed to spend the rest of the season and next year in the rotation, at minimum.
I’ve held Wilson in a keeper league for 3 seasons now… I’m with you man!
Barves needed to make space on their 40 man for the new guys so that’s why Jackson and Wilson were sent out. They had to do the same thing when they traded for Duvall the first time. That’s why Wisler & Sims we’re traded then.
I feel like Wilson will eventually make it but I swear he might be one of these guys that takes 7 years to do it. 7 full years that is.
Who knows maybe he just hasn’t had enough consistent starts since he’s only had 14 spread out over 4 years.
Meh
So Rodriguez for 3 years of control for Wilson’s 5 years? I was hoping Wilson could figure it our, but our bullpen has been in shambles. Let’s hope these 27 outfielders we traded for can hit for average.
It’s like the Braves woke up and said “I guess we DO need depth.”
Picking up Rodriguez is definitely the most meaningful acquisition. One of the Braves two biggest needs. But what about a big bat? I guess the day isn’t over but Soler, Rosario and Duvall isn’t that. The Braves are better now than they were a day ago but I don’t think it’s enough. There is a flame of hope in me that wasn’t there but it still may be that the best the Braves will get out of this is ending the season over 500.
This might be to pessimistic. Adding those three bats is really good depth. Reacquiring Duvall almost seems like AA is admitting he made a mistake when he let his depth leave through free agency.
@SalaryCapMyth
Well according to their runs scored vs runs against they should be 9 games over .500 easily the best team in the division. I think over 162 games it may play out and maybe that’s why AA decided to bolster the roster (and to keep the fans coming in).
The few additions plus returning players off the IL may add up to additional wins that will win the division and then who knows. Maybe a late hot streak will at least get them past the first round.
They do have the best run diff in the NLE but that isn’t the end of the story. They’ve produced plenty of runs in individual games. For example, a couple weeks ago they beat the Mets 20-2. Further aggravating the problem is the bullpen has been blowing saves and giving up leads. A bad bullpen is a significant reason why you can have a good run diff. but still be around 500.
But as you mention and as I said, there IS some improvement here so I would even be willing to predict the Braves will end the season better than even. Im just not sold on the playoffs because the Mets got better and so did the Dodgers, Giants and Padres. That’s a problem because which ever of those two don’t win the NL West may very well end up taking the two wild card slots.
Not a bad return. I like Devito. He’s having a good season and FanGraphs gives him 3 pitches that project as average or better offerings. Wilson finally gets a chance to start regularly. Rodriguez has declined ever since the sticky substance crackdown, but is still a solid RP. Felt like he was on the verge of imploding for the last 2 weeks, so I was pretty much happy with anything.
He was great in Throw Mama From The Train.
Irwin loves his mommy!
Better hope that lack of sticky stuff isn’t going to catch up to him now. Don’t blame Pittsburgh for selling as high as they could even if the return isn’t quite as high as it could’ve been.
Finally no more Bryse Wilson. Atrocious first inning in one start followed by an okay start in the next only to be pulled after three innings. The NLCS start was a fluke.
I love this deal, not only for this year but for the upcoming 2 years after this. Didn’t give up much, Wilson had no future in Atlanta anyways. Now let’s win this division and try and make a run!
Nice swap for the Pirates.
Liberty media wanted to keep fans in the stands. These move was done primarily for that reason. Best case is we get lucky and knocked out by the brewers in the first round.
Agree completely, as I posted above, but that’s part of the business. Still could catch a hot steak and ride it… But, yeah.
Thought the bucs had a decent deadline, but of course the draft was better.
I think we all think the Holmes deal was the best.
I thought Frazier deal was fair, even though some think it’s light.
Would have preferred the anderson deal with Philly than seattle.
Davis/Chavis seems odd.
A bit surprised shreve didnt get dealt unless something happened and we didnt hear yet by some chance yet.
That leaves Rich Rod. I guess that they felt they had to trade him with him slipping lately and Bednars emergence. Wilson could end up being decent for the pirates. I dont think its some great return for the pirates, but from atlantas side why would they want a guy who gives up a ton of fly balls in a hitters park? Not sure I like it from either end TBH. I guess the pirates just wanted to get what they could and move on.
But once again makes it clear that they can’t give Polanco away. Sheesh. What a bust this guy turned out to be
I like Seattle trade better. More polished more upside catcher. I know nothing about the pitcher in the Seattle trade except he has better medicals. Pirates still got the Philly catcher so all is good. I’d take anything for Rodriguez. Take the money and run. Wish I knew what offers were this spring.
Gotta give some Kudos to Anthopolous, pretty good haul today for minimal prospect capital. Still not much hope for a deep postseason run, but might win the division, and will cheer the clubhouse up. And hell… You make it to October and get hot… anything can happen.
Also it keeps the seats full, which is a necessary step for the long term financial survival of this organization. Good moves by the FO with the limited resources they have been given.
At least getting hot with guys that could truly get hot helps. I don’t think having an outfield of AAAA guys getting hot would have propelled this team anywhere since 1 extra hit every few games wouldn’t have done anything. But these guys you never know. What did Duvall do ? Have two 3 homer games in the span of 8 days last year ? That’s insanely streaky.
The other thing that’s good is that the pick ups push the current outfield core to the bench. So at least the Braves have a bench now.
Rather they kept Wilson and gave up Kyle Wright
I feel bad for any Pirates fan. They are like an independent triple A team for the league the way they are run. They have been rebuilding, or tearing it down for more then half my life., and any decent squad they ever start to build to compete with is sold off if they can’t pull it off within a couple years.
True but we have great uniforms.
But the nicest ballpark in America for an AAA team.
Eh, it’s not so bad. After the 90s/00s, we kind of became steeled to losing. This rebuild is at least being done right. Who knows where it ends but we can at least hopefully enjoy improvement over the next few years.
Pittsburgh fans are going to like Wilson. I predict a breakout next year.
Pretty good deal for the Pirates. Had RIch Rod not dropped off after the whole sticky situation it would be a bad return.. but he did dramatically so…
assuming no more surprise last minute deals the pirates did pretty well in filling in the weak spots in the prospect class. Didnt like seeing Adam go but It is what it is.
Are there september call ups this year? its going to be exciting watching a bunch of younger guys show up and fight for spots on the roster.
The deadline of small returns.
In the lineup playing left hitting behind Riley. All this OF Depth with the Ozuna uncertainty is what we needed. Still have games against the Marlins and Nats. 3 more with the Mets. I’m optimistic. Bad new for those guys with Jacob Degrom.
How do the mets let this happen? Outplayed at the deadline by the PhillsBraves and every playoff contender
Nice move for both sides: getting rid of depth that’s not so necessary for a bullpen piece that’s very usable and can close if necessary. That said, Pittsburgh tends to get the most out of strike throwers like Wilson. Charlie Morton 2.0 possibilities and he could be really good for them.