:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47835037/usa-today-8592779.0.jpg)
BRAVES NEWS
Braves receive Swanson, Blair, and Inciarte in exchange for Shelby Miller
The Braves have done business with the Diamondbacks, and once again, they've come away from the negotiating table feeling pretty good about themselves. Shelby Miller was one of the hottest (if not the hottest) trade chips on the market, and even though they didn't get A.J. Pollock, they still managed to receive an impressive haul. Miller and recently-acquired prospect Gabe Speier will be going to the Diamondbacks in exchange for major league outfielder Ender Inciarte and prospects Dansby Swanson and Aaron Blair.
Yes, you read that correctly: The #1 pick in the 2015 MLB Draft is now in the Braves' farm system. In addition, the Braves picked up a strong pitching prospect and also picked up a solid centerfielder. It's safe to say that the Braves capitalized on the market here -- they managed to sell extremely high on Shelby Miller, and while the Diamondbacks will be better in the short-term after making this deal, the Braves will more-than-likely come out as the winners of this deal in the long-run.
John Coppolella and co. have been receiving a lot of grief as of late, but I'd imagine that all of that is going to go away for the time being -- or at least until they make the next unpopular move. The Braves managed to improve their center field situation with the addition of Inciarte, and they also continued to bolster the farm with Swanson and Blair. The big league squad still probably won't be too good next year, but help is on the way, folks. Patience will be extremely important for the next couple of years, but once again, help is on the way and the future is looking extremely bright for the Braves right now.
Fangraphs: Braves get ace's return for Shelby Miller
MLBDD: Diamondbacks pay king's ransom for Miller
Gondeee reacts to the deal
Bowman: Braves lose in present but gain for the future
Schoenfield: Diamondbacks got robbed
Rosenthal: Baseball is looking at Arizona like "Huh?"
AZ Snake Pit gives their take on the deal
Braves sign Tyler Flowers to two-year deal
Oh yeah, the Braves did in fact make another move on Tuesday. They signed former White Sox catcher and Roswell, GA native Tyler Flowers to a two-year deal. Flowers himself got his start in the Braves' organization, so he'll be coming back into the fold to split time at the catcher position with A.J. Pierzynski. Flowers probably won't light things up with his bat, but as long as he's dependable behind the plate, this should work out alright for Atlanta. Meanwhile, this probably signals the end of the line in Atlanta for Christian Bethancourt.
MLB NEWS
Cubs sign Ben Zobrist to four-year deal
The Braves weren't the only National League team who spent Tuesday wheeling and dealing. The Cubs were also pretty busy as well, and they made waves by signing utilityman Ben Zobrist to a four-year, $56 MM deal. Although Zobrist can fit almost anywhere on the diamond, the Cubs will probably be slotting him into the second base position. You'll see the reason why he'll be playing second base for the Cubs is below.
Yankees receive Starlin Castro from Cubs via trade
Zobrist will be the Cubs' second baseman because Chicago has traded Starlin Castro to the Yankees. The Cubs will be receiving RHP Adam Warren and INF Brendan Ryan for Castro. The Yankees are probably pretty happy with Castro considering the fact that they've been looking for a replacement for Robinson Cano since he left for Seattle. Castro is no Cano, but he'll definitely be able to do a solid job for the Yankees -- assuming that the good version of Castro shows up. If the bad version (i.e. the 2013 and 2015 version) of Castro shows up, then the Yankees will probably rue this deal -- especially if Adam Warren continues to develop into a solid pitcher.