The Braves pulled the trigger on a huge deal that may have shifted the balance of power in the NL East. They sent Jarrod Saltalamacchia and three minor leaguers to the Rangers for slugging first baseman Jarrod Saltalamacchia and relief pitcher Ron Mahay. With Brian McCann in the fold, Saltalamacchia was expendable and while I hate to see a top prospect like him go, knowing we have a season and half of Teixeira makes it a bittersweet deal.
That is, if Teixiera gets back to slugging. He’s hit only one homer in July since coming off of the disabled list and he lives hitter friendly Arlington Stadium. Still, he has a huge track record and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he gives the Braves thirteen homers (his current season total) the rest of the way.
And the reliever, Ron Mahay, has put together a nice season as well. His walk rate is a little high but he has 32 strikeouts in 39 innings and he’s left handed to boot. So the Braves killed two birds with one stone.
Elvis Andrus was the other big name in the deal. Andrus is a solid fielding shortstop without much pop that’s slugging only .335 at High A Myrtle Beach. John Sickels compared him to Edgar Rentaria, which isn’t too bad, but that was before this mediocre season.
The Braves start a three game series with the Astros beginning tomorrow. Chuck James takes the mound and it’ll be Chris Sampson who throws for the Astros.
