The Braves have acquired reliever Brad Hand from the Rockies, the clubs announced. Minor league reliever Alec Barger goes to Colorado in a one-for-one swap. Atlanta already had an opening on their 40-man roster.
Hand was one of the more obvious trade candidates this summer. The veteran reliever signed a buy-low deal with the Rockies late last offseason. He received a $1MM bonus for making the roster and is playing the year on a $1.5MM salary. Less than $500K remains to be paid out, though he’s also guaranteed a $500K buyout on a $7MM option at season’s end. That provision was a club option for Colorado but converts to a mutual pact now that Hand has been traded.
It’s largely immaterial, as Colorado never seemed likely to exercise the option. Hand has been a solid but unexceptional middle innings arm for the Rox. He’s tallied 35 2/3 innings through 40 appearances, working to a 4.54 ERA. That’s his worst ERA since moving to the bullpen seven years ago, though pitching half his games in Coors Field hasn’t done him any favors.
Despite the diminished run prevention, Hand has gotten an uptick in swing-and-miss. His 26.1% strikeout rate is his best mark in three seasons. His 9.7% swinging strike percentage is still a fair bit below-average but a little better than those of his prior two years. While he’s gotten tattooed by right-handed hitters, Hand has stifled lefties to a .143/.276/.204 batting line with 20 strikeouts in 59 plate appearances.
He’ll add a veteran specialist to a relief corps which Atlanta has sought to deepen over the past week. The Braves also acquired Pierce Johnson from Colorado and recently claimed Yonny Chirinos from Tampa Bay. They’re not impact additions, but Atlanta’s bullpen is already strong. The Braves enter play Tuesday with a 3.67 relief ERA that ranks fifth in the majors. It had been righty-heavy with Dylan Lee on the injured list; Hand adds a second option behind A.J. Minter, likely for more situational work.
In return, Colorado picks up some upper minors relief depth. Barger, 25, is a former 17th round selection out of North Carolina State. He’s spent the season at Double-A Mississippi, working to a 3.29 ERA with a quality 29.3% strikeout rate. Barger’s 12.8% walk percentage is elevated, but the Rockies are clearly intrigued by the bat-missing potential and the bottom line results. He’d be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter if not added to the 40-man roster, though the trades of Johnson and Hand (and likely a forthcoming deal of Brent Suter) could open an opportunity for him to get a late-season debut.
Robert Murray of FanSided first reported the Rockies were trading Hand for Barger.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
jdizzle ATL Braves
meh……
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
I concur. Better than nothing I guess? Maybe this isn’t it.
Murphi Kennedy
Cool. Gl getting ohtani out today
Braves Butt-Head
Well maybe he can bounce back getting away from Colorado but the Braves needed another lefty
getrealgone2
Does Denver make him walk a lot of guys?
braveshomer
of course it does duh!…rookie comment lol
hiflew
It can if he is afraid to throw strikes because they get hit a mile.
getrealgone2
Funny enough most of his walks were on the road.
Hemlock
> Funny enough most of his walks
> were on the road.
Hand on Road, Walks A Lot … News At 11
AnnaDad
Gotta Hand it to the Braves
Slider Buffet
Solid pick up. Had to get another lefty to help Minter.
briar-patch thatcher
LOL!!!! AA with the ‘sleight of hand’!
Howiedoin
Underwhelming.
SoCalBrave
Underhanded?
phenomenalajs
Red-Handed?
DGHalos714
Taking the strong Hand I see…
miggywrld
These trades are just getting out of Hand.
just_breathe
Atlanta is immediately thrust into the World Series conversation
VonPurpleHayes
I think they were week 2.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
I like this trade just because of the “hand” puns
Mikey P
I hate this trade just because of the hand puns. Painful
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
I never used to like this cheesy “haha” sense of humor until I got older.
phenomenalajs
Yeah, this has gotten out of Hand.
Appalachian_Outlaw
On the one Hand, I can see Arcia’s appreciation for the puns; but on the other Hand, I can also see Mikey P’s point of view.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
I gotta hand it to you guys, you really came through for me !
ATL Baseball Fan
Solid veteran setup man that can close in a pinch.
mikep2k
Spelled Colorado incorrectly.
YEP
Oooo yeah!
VonPurpleHayes
Hand has outings where he’s untouchable, but every 3rd appearance or so he gets knocked around like crazy. Playoff experience is a plus.
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs
But I got hand!
clintc
And you’re gonna need it.
Stop Giving Billionaires Money
The Rockies might not be getting a lot in return but everyone should be proud of Colorado for not extending these players and getting any value at all. This is a big step for them.
Benjamin101677
This guy has been a good relief pitcher for a long time. His experience should help Atlanta and looks like Atlanta gave up very little.
This came out of no where why I don’t believe that Atlanta is in on Verlander as Atlanta doesn’t leak trade information
SocoComfort
Sounds like a ploy for the Mets to use as leverage in negotiations with another team.
fabulous61
Benjamin I saw a report yesterday that they had spoken with Colorado regarding Hand.
Benjamin101677
Thx didn’t realize anyone had reported anything about hand.
I would be shocked if Braves were in on Verlander like reports have it
Idosteroids
Solid depth pick up. 500k buy out for next season if things go south
YEP
Could have had Bummer.
VonPurpleHayes
Hand just broke Bruce Chen’s record. He’s now the first player ever to play for every NLE team. Congrats!
Libpwnr
Needed another arm, ended up getting a Hand instead.
phenomenalajs
Winner!
Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
I like this trade. I wonder who is losing a roster spot?
Benjamin101677
2 roster spots I believe this week as fried is on 60 day injured list and will be back Wednesday
Maybe someone on roster will get trades away.
Braves also may not be done
Drew Waters Bat
You know AA is always good now for an after deadline announcements of something crazy. I feel he’s gonna get 2 or 3 players more. Probably 2.
Hemlock
Or zero? I guess they go with what they have.
99socalfrc
This is a solid pickup, His BB/K ratio is better this year than last and getting him out of Colorado will make a difference. Given how cheap he comes the Braves front office is once again showing why they are the best in the business. .
rememberthecoop
I keep hearing how my Cubs badly need a lefty bullpen piece yet here goes another one off the boards. Maybe Chafin will fit the bill as they had him a couple years ago and really liked him.
RunDMC
I like the trade only to hear Snitker call him “Handsy”
its_happening
Blue Jay great Brad Hand.
DelraySteve
One more piece. This is what the Braves do. They have no need for 4-star saviors or for fans thinking that 4-star saviors in trade are needed to win with a strong and team-oriented existing roster. Minter is iffy and Lee might not be back. A veteran lefty was needed. A veteran lefty was acquired.
abc123baseball
The Braves are already stacked. Do they really need a helping Hand?
register14
great job again. alex anthopoulos..brad hand was top of my realistic wish list for braves..ii’d also like us to get max fried’s high school teammate, john flaherty..nicky lopez was nice upgrade from charlie culberson..i was hoping for tony kemp for that but lopez likely better fit anyway..olson, albies, arcia and riley play every inning of every game..they deserve some rest..go braves!
UGA_Steve
Not certain we would want Flaherty. His hatred of all things Braves is palpable. He might just decide not to pitch if we traded for him.
Paleobros
The Rockies gave them a Hand
braves25
I like this move mostly because it didn’t cost much. There is still a chance to go after Bednar and a starting pitcher.
Goatsby
Pretty cheap price for a Hand job
YourDreamGM
A for the ATL. Still gets out left hand batters. Only parted with a reliever prospect. One with higher walks. Much cheaper than other teams have been paying.
C for COL. Got a decent reliever prospect. Not a starter. Glad to see them selling though.
biff_pocoroba
I see where this is going. Like, M for Miami, right?
YourDreamGM
True grades. But if there is some wiggle room it could be a B if it was Boston and D for Dodgers.
southi
I am not questioning whether Hand has experience and capabilities, but why not Suter instead?
acoss13
Brad is just playing the Hand he was dealt with, maybe he’ll get a helping Hand from the Braves coaching staff.
R.D.
Nice to see Hand n Johnson reunited
slowcurve
Bullpen needed a Hand
greg7274
Anthopoulos: I have hand!… I have hand!!
NL: good… ‘cuz you’re gonna need it.
(GenZ translation – Seinfeld reference)
DCartrow
Hand has stipulated that he does not pitch on Palm Sunday.
Fred McGriff HR
AA always has his handle on things.
Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
I’m surprised never Shewmake or Grissom got dealt at the deadline. I’m guessing both will be up when rosters expand Sept 1st.