Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Braves fans were fired up when their team traded the world’s best closer, Craig Kimbrel, to the San Diego Padres. They were upset by the move to the point that they were not able to see the brilliance of the trade for the Braves. The ability to rid the books completely of the horrible contract of Melvin Upton Jr. was huge but that was not what made it brilliant. The addition of top pitching prospect Matt Wisler is what did the trick.
In case you missed it, Wisler was promoted to the big leagues on Friday to make his debut start against the division leading New York Mets. His very first batter faced resulted in a strikeout and his very first start showed just how amazing the Kimbrel trade really was for this franchise. Wisler was the prospect that the Padres were never going to part ways with and everyone knew why yet they did part with him for Kimbrel.
Not only was he good in his debut game but he was great, going eight innings for a team that has struggled to get a starter past the sixth inning all season. It was a huge game in which the Braves picked up a game in the standings and perhaps saw the beginnings of a much brighter future. Wisler could join in with the other big young arms to be the closest thing the Braves ever get to the next big three or big four starting pitchers.
All of this is possible thanks to the move that saw Kimbrel simply move to another team. When you add the fact that the Braves also rid themselves of the big contract of Upton in the same deal, it quickly becomes one of the best trades in recent history. Those who think it was a bad trade in spite of the facts are just shortsighted. It will get better every single year for at least the next five years and maybe more.
David Miller is an MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
