The MLB may be stripping them of hosting the All-Star festivities, but the Atlanta Braves remain hell-bent on contending in 2021. The team added yet another veteran bat to the lineup early Monday afternoon when they agreed to trade for shortstop Orlando Arcia. The 26-year-old Arcia had spent his entire MLB career to date with the Milwaukee Brewers, and will now be heading south to Georgia.
Orlando Arcia Trade Fortifies Braves Infield
Arcia has been pretty consistent across his five MLB seasons to date in Milwaukee. His career statistics include a .242 batting average, .293 on-base percentage and .643 OPS. While those numbers aren’t terrible, they are a far cry from what the Brewers hoped he would be. Arcia was once a top prospect of the Brewers organization, and things simply didn’t go according to play in Milwaukee. He’ll look to get off to a fresh start in Atlanta as he steps in for a Braves team that is gearing up for a World Series run this fall.
Although he is a shortstop by trade, the Braves already have Dansby Swanson playing the position. Arcia will provide depth, but also will undoubtedly spend time at third base for the Braves sooner than later. This is easily Atlanta’s weakest infield position at present. The Braves’ depth at the hot corner has been further complicated by injury to Ehire Adrianza. He was placed on the IL Saturday with the team recalling Johan Camargo from the minors to add depth. Unfortunately, a hodge-podge mix of Austin Riley, Pablo Sandoval and Camargo isn’t exactly a great formula for Atlanta to follow.
Insert Arcia, who should be able to provide sound fielding and just enough hitting to contribute. Unless he falters tremendously, this trade has to be considered a positive one for the Braves. After being the Brewers’ most consistent hitter last season, there’s reason for Braves fans to be optimistic.
Brewers Net Two Pitchers in Deal
Although they clearly don’t come off as the team in win-now mode in this trade, the Brewers gave themselves some leeway based on the returns they received for Arcia. Milwaukee acquired right-handed pitchers Patrick Weigel and Chad Sobotka in the trade. Both were formerly picked in the first ten rounds of the MLB Draft. Despite this, neither has seen their careers progress to much success with the Braves. Both are set to report to the Brewers’ alternate training site to start.
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