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John Hart, as usual, spoke to the press today after trading away Jason Heyward to the Cardinals. He revealed that the club talked to every other club at GM meetings and that the trade was difficult but necessary.
#Braves Hart on trading Heyward: "It’s a fine bvalance... But where the Braves are now, we think this helps us short term and long term."
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) November 17, 2014
#Braves Hart on Heyward deal: "There will be some people who applaud the deal and some who will be heartbroken."
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) November 17, 2014
Jon Hart said they got no sense that extension with Jason Hewyard was likely before he tested free agent waters. #Braves
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) November 17, 2014
Jon Hart said #Braves didn't going into winter thinking Heyward was guy they needed to deal: "There was not a better deal out there for us."
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) November 17, 2014
Jon Hart on #Braves trade of Heyward: "We talked to literally every club out there (at GM meetings). We weren't looking for a one year fix."
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) November 17, 2014
Jon Hart hammered home the fact that it is very hard to acquire upside young pitching. Teams simply don't part with it easily. #Braves
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) November 17, 2014
Hart also spoke about the future for the Braves, including perhaps Evan Gattis in the outfield and his belief that Justin Upton will still be on the club in 2015.
Jon Hart said no plan is set in stone for #Braves OF, but Evan Gattis has been part of the discussion.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) November 17, 2014
Jon Hart said improving the #Braves offense starts with some current talent having better years. They continue to look for pieces to add.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) November 17, 2014
Jon Hart: As we sit here today, there's certainly a good chance Justin Upton is back. #Braves
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) November 17, 2014
As expected of this time of year, we're getting conflicting information about what the club really thinks and wants to do. I still expect this week to continue to be hectic as the Braves make more moves.