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Braves Acquire Brad Hand

By Anthony Franco | August 1, 2023 at 11:54am CDT

The Braves have acquired reliever Brad Hand from the Rockies, the clubs announced. Minor league reliever Alec Barger goes to Colorado in a one-for-one swap. Atlanta already had an opening on their 40-man roster.

Hand was one of the more obvious trade candidates this summer. The veteran reliever signed a buy-low deal with the Rockies late last offseason. He received a $1MM bonus for making the roster and is playing the year on a $1.5MM salary. Less than $500K remains to be paid out, though he’s also guaranteed a $500K buyout on a $7MM option at season’s end. That provision was a club option for Colorado but converts to a mutual pact now that Hand has been traded.

It’s largely immaterial, as Colorado never seemed likely to exercise the option. Hand has been a solid but unexceptional middle innings arm for the Rox. He’s tallied 35 2/3 innings through 40 appearances, working to a 4.54 ERA. That’s his worst ERA since moving to the bullpen seven years ago, though pitching half his games in Coors Field hasn’t done him any favors.

Despite the diminished run prevention, Hand has gotten an uptick in swing-and-miss. His 26.1% strikeout rate is his best mark in three seasons. His 9.7% swinging strike percentage is still a fair bit below-average but a little better than those of his prior two years. While he’s gotten tattooed by right-handed hitters, Hand has stifled lefties to a .143/.276/.204 batting line with 20 strikeouts in 59 plate appearances.

He’ll add a veteran specialist to a relief corps which Atlanta has sought to deepen over the past week. The Braves also acquired Pierce Johnson from Colorado and recently claimed Yonny Chirinos from Tampa Bay. They’re not impact additions, but Atlanta’s bullpen is already strong. The Braves enter play Tuesday with a 3.67 relief ERA that ranks fifth in the majors. It had been righty-heavy with Dylan Lee on the injured list; Hand adds a second option behind A.J. Minter, likely for more situational work.

In return, Colorado picks up some upper minors relief depth. Barger, 25, is a former 17th round selection out of North Carolina State. He’s spent the season at Double-A Mississippi, working to a 3.29 ERA with a quality 29.3% strikeout rate. Barger’s 12.8% walk percentage is elevated, but the Rockies are clearly intrigued by the bat-missing potential and the bottom line results. He’d be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter if not added to the 40-man roster, though the trades of Johnson and Hand (and likely a forthcoming deal of Brent Suter) could open an opportunity for him to get a late-season debut.

Robert Murray of FanSided first reported the Rockies were trading Hand for Barger.

Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.

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Atlanta Braves Colorado Rockies Newsstand Transactions Brad Hand

Diamondbacks Listening To Trade Offers On Andrew Chafin, Joe Mantiply
Main
Padres, Braves Have Been Involved On Verlander; Astros Still Perceived As Likelier Landing Spot
View Comments (67)

Comments

  1. jdizzle

    2 months ago

    meh……

    3
    Reply
    • Arcia Later!!

      2 months ago

      I concur. Better than nothing I guess? Maybe this isn’t it.

      Reply
  2. Murphi Kennedy

    2 months ago

    Cool. Gl getting ohtani out today

    Reply
    • Braves Butt-Head

      2 months ago

      Well maybe he can bounce back getting away from Colorado but the Braves needed another lefty

      1
      Reply
      • getrealgone2

        2 months ago

        Does Denver make him walk a lot of guys?

        1
        Reply
        • braveshomer

          2 months ago

          of course it does duh!…rookie comment lol

          1
          Reply
        • hiflew

          2 months ago

          It can if he is afraid to throw strikes because they get hit a mile.

          2
          Reply
        • getrealgone2

          2 months ago

          Funny enough most of his walks were on the road.

          Reply
        • Hemlock

          2 months ago

          > Funny enough most of his walks
          > were on the road.

          Hand on Road, Walks A Lot … News At 11

          3
          Reply
  3. AnnaDad

    2 months ago

    Gotta Hand it to the Braves

    8
    Reply
    • Slider Buffet

      2 months ago

      Solid pick up. Had to get another lefty to help Minter.

      Reply
  4. briar-patch thatcher

    2 months ago

    LOL!!!! AA with the ‘sleight of hand’!

    Reply
  5. Howiedoin

    2 months ago

    Underwhelming.

    Reply
    • SoCalBrave

      2 months ago

      Underhanded?

      Reply
      • phenomenalajs

        2 months ago

        Red-Handed?

        Reply
  6. DGHalos714

    2 months ago

    Taking the strong Hand I see…

    2
    Reply
  7. miggywrld

    2 months ago

    These trades are just getting out of Hand.

    2
    Reply
  8. just_breathe

    2 months ago

    Atlanta is immediately thrust into the World Series conversation

    1
    Reply
    • VonPurpleHayes

      2 months ago

      I think they were week 2.

      8
      Reply
  9. Arcia Later!!

    2 months ago

    I like this trade just because of the “hand” puns

    5
    Reply
    • Mikey P

      2 months ago

      I hate this trade just because of the hand puns. Painful

      2
      Reply
      • Arcia Later!!

        2 months ago

        I never used to like this cheesy “haha” sense of humor until I got older.

        Reply
        • phenomenalajs

          2 months ago

          Yeah, this has gotten out of Hand.

          1
          Reply
    • Appalachian_Outlaw

      2 months ago

      On the one Hand, I can see Arcia’s appreciation for the puns; but on the other Hand, I can also see Mikey P’s point of view.

      2
      Reply
      • Arcia Later!!

        2 months ago

        I gotta hand it to you guys, you really came through for me !

        Reply
  10. ATL Baseball Fan

    2 months ago

    Solid veteran setup man that can close in a pinch.

    Reply
  11. mikep2k

    2 months ago

    Spelled Colorado incorrectly.

    2
    Reply
    • YEP

      2 months ago

      Oooo yeah!

      Reply
  12. VonPurpleHayes

    2 months ago

    Hand has outings where he’s untouchable, but every 3rd appearance or so he gets knocked around like crazy. Playoff experience is a plus.

    1
    Reply
  13. RayKingsThickThighs

    2 months ago

    But I got hand!

    Reply
    • clintc

      2 months ago

      And you’re gonna need it.

      Reply
  14. Manfred is ruining baseball

    2 months ago

    The Rockies might not be getting a lot in return but everyone should be proud of Colorado for not extending these players and getting any value at all. This is a big step for them.

    Reply
  15. Benjamin101677

    2 months ago

    This guy has been a good relief pitcher for a long time. His experience should help Atlanta and looks like Atlanta gave up very little.

    This came out of no where why I don’t believe that Atlanta is in on Verlander as Atlanta doesn’t leak trade information

    Reply
    • SocoComfort

      2 months ago

      Sounds like a ploy for the Mets to use as leverage in negotiations with another team.

      Reply
    • fabulous61

      2 months ago

      Benjamin I saw a report yesterday that they had spoken with Colorado regarding Hand.

      1
      Reply
      • Benjamin101677

        2 months ago

        Thx didn’t realize anyone had reported anything about hand.

        I would be shocked if Braves were in on Verlander like reports have it

        Reply
  16. Idosteroids

    2 months ago

    Solid depth pick up. 500k buy out for next season if things go south

    1
    Reply
  17. YEP

    2 months ago

    Could have had Bummer.

    Reply
  18. VonPurpleHayes

    2 months ago

    Hand just broke Bruce Chen’s record. He’s now the first player ever to play for every NLE team. Congrats!

    1
    Reply
  19. htrab77

    2 months ago

    Needed another arm, ended up getting a Hand instead.

    5
    Reply
    • phenomenalajs

      2 months ago

      Winner!

      2
      Reply
  20. Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman

    2 months ago

    I like this trade. I wonder who is losing a roster spot?

    Reply
    • Benjamin101677

      2 months ago

      2 roster spots I believe this week as fried is on 60 day injured list and will be back Wednesday

      Maybe someone on roster will get trades away.

      Braves also may not be done

      2
      Reply
      • Drew Waters Bat

        2 months ago

        You know AA is always good now for an after deadline announcements of something crazy. I feel he’s gonna get 2 or 3 players more. Probably 2.

        2
        Reply
        • Hemlock

          2 months ago

          Or zero? I guess they go with what they have.

          Reply
  21. 99socalfrc

    2 months ago

    This is a solid pickup, His BB/K ratio is better this year than last and getting him out of Colorado will make a difference. Given how cheap he comes the Braves front office is once again showing why they are the best in the business. .

    Reply
  22. rememberthecoop

    2 months ago

    I keep hearing how my Cubs badly need a lefty bullpen piece yet here goes another one off the boards. Maybe Chafin will fit the bill as they had him a couple years ago and really liked him.

    Reply
  23. RunDMC

    2 months ago

    I like the trade only to hear Snitker call him “Handsy”

    Reply
  24. its_happening

    2 months ago

    Blue Jay great Brad Hand.

    Reply
  25. DelraySteve

    2 months ago

    One more piece. This is what the Braves do. They have no need for 4-star saviors or for fans thinking that 4-star saviors in trade are needed to win with a strong and team-oriented existing roster. Minter is iffy and Lee might not be back. A veteran lefty was needed. A veteran lefty was acquired.

    5
    Reply
  26. abc123baseball

    2 months ago

    The Braves are already stacked. Do they really need a helping Hand?

    Reply
  27. register14

    2 months ago

    great job again. alex anthopoulos..brad hand was top of my realistic wish list for braves..ii’d also like us to get max fried’s high school teammate, john flaherty..nicky lopez was nice upgrade from charlie culberson..i was hoping for tony kemp for that but lopez likely better fit anyway..olson, albies, arcia and riley play every inning of every game..they deserve some rest..go braves!

    Reply
    • UGA_Steve

      2 months ago

      Not certain we would want Flaherty. His hatred of all things Braves is palpable. He might just decide not to pitch if we traded for him.

      Reply
  28. paleobros

    2 months ago

    The Rockies gave them a Hand

    Reply
  29. braves25

    2 months ago

    I like this move mostly because it didn’t cost much. There is still a chance to go after Bednar and a starting pitcher.

    Reply
  30. Goatsby

    2 months ago

    Pretty cheap price for a Hand job

    1
    Reply
  31. YourDreamGM

    2 months ago

    A for the ATL. Still gets out left hand batters. Only parted with a reliever prospect. One with higher walks. Much cheaper than other teams have been paying.

    C for COL. Got a decent reliever prospect. Not a starter. Glad to see them selling though.

    2
    Reply
    • biff_pocoroba

      2 months ago

      I see where this is going. Like, M for Miami, right?

      4
      Reply
      • YourDreamGM

        2 months ago

        True grades. But if there is some wiggle room it could be a B if it was Boston and D for Dodgers.

        Reply
  32. southi

    2 months ago

    I am not questioning whether Hand has experience and capabilities, but why not Suter instead?

    Reply
  33. acoss13

    2 months ago

    Brad is just playing the Hand he was dealt with, maybe he’ll get a helping Hand from the Braves coaching staff.

    Reply
  34. R.D.

    2 months ago

    Nice to see Hand n Johnson reunited

    Reply
  35. slowcurve

    2 months ago

    Bullpen needed a Hand

    Reply
  36. greg7274

    2 months ago

    Anthopoulos: I have hand!… I have hand!!

    NL: good… ‘cuz you’re gonna need it.

    (GenZ translation – Seinfeld reference)

    Reply
  37. DCartrow

    2 months ago

    Hand has stipulated that he does not pitch on Palm Sunday.

    Reply
  38. Fred McGriff HR

    2 months ago

    AA always has his handle on things.

    Reply
  39. Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman

    2 months ago

    I’m surprised never Shewmake or Grissom got dealt at the deadline. I’m guessing both will be up when rosters expand Sept 1st.

    Reply

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