The Atlanta Braves wasted no time at the Winter Meetings. It was announced Sunday night the team made a multi-player trade with the Seattle Mariners centered around outfielder Jarred Kelenic and starter Marco Gonzalez.
The Braves sent away pitchers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips in the deal, neither of which appeared to factor in the team’s long-term plans. Ken Rosenthal reported the Braves do not plan to keep Gonzalez and make him apart of another deal.
Kelenic has shown plenty of upside in his major league career but hasn’t been able to find the consistency Seattle was hoping for when the made him the centerpiece of the trade that sent Edwin Diaz and Robinson to Cano to the Mets. He hit elven home runs last season but struck out 132 times in 105 games. He also missed time due to an ankle injury that he suffered when he kicked a water cooler out of frustration. The hope is for the Braves to channel that passion to his play on the field. He is expected to split left field duties with Vaughn Grissom to begin the season.
Gonzalez, wherever he lands, has a lot of potential as he looks to regain his form. He suffered a season-ending arm injury last season but is gearing up to be ready for the start of next season. The Braves still need to add a frontline starter to their rotation and Gonzalez does not exactly fit that mold of this stage of his career.