Last week's trade deadline was riveting, as much for what didn't happen as for what did.
For the Atlanta Braves it was another example of the new man in charge taking a calculated gamble to make the team better.
I scoured the plethora of "Trade Deadline Winners and Loser's" lists and couldn't find the Braves on either list. It's not the home run the Blue Jays hit with the Troy Tulowitzki trade, but it certainly beats the Padres' do-nothing deadline (did they really ask the Diamondbacks for Paul Goldschmidt in exchange for Craig Kimbrel?).
One thing that nearly everyone agrees on is John Hart gave up a lot to get a 30-year-old player who has yet to play an inning in the major leagues and has injury concerns beyond the mild hamstring issue that currently sidelines him?
Gone is a 24-year-old left-handed starting pitcher with a career ERA near 3. Gone is a player not long ago ranked as the team's top minor league prospect. Departed as well is the current closer, not to mention a lefty reliever who's been mostly solid for three-plus seasons.
On the surface, then, the Braves' deal for Hector Olivera is odd. Now, let's look a little closer.
It's well known the Braves wanted Olivera badly in the offseason, but were out-bid by the Dodgers for the ex-Cuban star. LA will eat its $28 million signing bonus, leaving the Braves with five years of Olivera for under $6 million a year.
He's 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and has hit everywhere he's played. Whether he plays at third or in the outfield, the bat will be a welcome addition. Let's be honest, the Braves lineup as currently constituted is softer than a Patriots' football. Even if the price was steep, this trade, or something like it, had to happen.
The organization is stacked with pitching talent and some of it will have to be moved for position players. It's also deep in middle infielders, which is why Jose Peraza was included. Ozhaino Albies had moved ahead of Peraza by all accounts to be Andrelton Simmons' future middle infield partner.
Almost overlooked is the competitive balance draft pick the team picked up via the Marlins, the 35th selection next June in what is supposed to be a very deep draft. Add in currently-injured reliever Paco Rodriguez, who's debuted with the Dodgers at age 21, and power-throwing minor leaguer Zachary Bird (mid-to-upper 90s) and the deal starts to make sense.
The trade would have been even better if Bronson Arroyo's $8 million contract had gone with him to LA, but it appears the Braves are paying most of it. That money, though, won't extend beyond this season and the team still has teenager Touki Toussaint as its prize in the Arizona trade.
We'll see how the trade plays out, but either way you have to give Hart credit for staying active.
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman runs to the dugout during a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Fla., on March 30, 2015.Down and about out
Olivera's pending debut, likely later in the month, will be a highlight in what is likely to be a gruesome final two months for the Braves.
The just-completed 2-8 road trip displayed a lineup, outside of Freddie Freeman, that just isn't major league quality. The team was at its best this year when Jace Peterson and Cameron Maybin were consistently getting on base.
They've bottomed out (Peterson's three-run homer Sunday notwithstanding), and while guys like Eury Perez and Adonis Gomez have had their moments, opposing pitchers know if they can work around Freeman there's very little to fear.
Olivera should help, and if Mallex Smith and maybe Albies get September call-ups, the Braves might be fun to watch for a few weeks. We'll likely see pitcher Tyrell Jenkins at some point soon as well.
And maybe Hart will be able to pull off a waiver transaction or two to shed more millions.
Dan Quinn, who is in his first season as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, led his new team through the first day of training camp Friday in Flowery Branch, Ga.Falcons turn up the heat
New coach Dan Quinn hasn't made a lot of bold predictions or promises heading into training camp, but the one thing he made absolutely sure to mention was the Falcons were going to go through a physical, aggressive camp.
There's no more holding back to keep players from getting hurt, according to those who've seen early camp action. The offensive line, in particular, has been getting after it. If the Falcons are going to get pushed around this season it's not going to be due to lack of work.
Honestly, it's the best news a fan can hear. The Falcons of the past couple of years were bullied. Third-and-short? Bad times.
It's also good to hear that negotiations with Julio Jones on a contract extension have begun.
Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32), defended by Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko (33), of Sweden, passes the ball during their game, Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, in Auburn Hills, Mich. Bad news for Hawks
The Mike Scott arrest on felony drug charges is obviously not something the Hawks wanted to hear. He's signed for two more seasons, though his wildly inconsistent play in the playoffs likely had him fighting for a rotation spot this coming season. If found guilty - and he admitted the drugs found in the car were his - he's likely gone anyway.
The addition of Tiago Splitter was going to cut into Scott's playing time anyway since the ex-Spur can play both center and power forward and it's been mentioned that Al Horford will also play more at the four when Paul Milsap rests.