Braves Swap Mark Kotsay to Red Sox for an Outfielder; White Flags and Such

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The Braves, buried deep inside a depressing NL East vault of mediocrity, today traded starting centerfielder Mark Kotsay to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder and prospect! Luis Sumoza. At least so sayeth my Braves.com email alert, not that no one saw this coming (quote from DOB at the AJC FYI).

The teams finalized the trade Wednesday morning after spending much of Tuesday negotiating details of the deal, which sent the 32-year-old center fielder to Boston in time to be eligible for their postseason roster.

"It'll be a fun experience for the next 30 days, that's for sure," Kotsay said as he prepared to board a flight for Boston on this afternoon. "Just one of those deals, we'll get through it."

Despite the Braves' disappointing season, Kotsay said this of his eight months with the organization: "Great experience, man."

Yay! That was almost as optimistic as the Braves' email which made little or no mention of Kotsay and pimped the hell out of Sumoza's stats. Now, interestingly, Atlanta traded Joey Devine last year for Kotsay, making this a Devine for Sumoza trade.

Seeing as how Jason Heyward and Jordan Schafer are already in the prospect list for the outfield, it's debatable -- especially with Devine having yet to surrender an earned run since returning to the A's in August -- whether it will actually end up paying off. (Of course, I'm an NCSU homer, so I could be a little biased.)

On the other hand, if you're a Braves fan, you have to like Sumoza's progression in his first season of A ball, hitting 11taters and getting on base at a .366 clip.

For the Sox, as Watson noted, it's a good deal -- J.D. Drew is hurt and Coco Crisp is about as exciting as a bowl of Grape-Nuts these days.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-28-2008 @ 12:34PM

Don Haddock said...

Being a ex-minor league (rookie league) player for he Braves in the GCL in 1980 with pretty good stats. Leaving spring training 4 days early due to fathers death. I was released. So that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I am though still a big fan of the Braves. With their Div. champions streak broken, it seems that when they get in someone, their hopes instantly go sky high. Much to our (fans) suprise they make this so-called block-buster trade only to watch them fall deeper. Just as fellow FSU-fans are thinking, is it time. Each season seems to gradually fall deeper than the previous one. Don't get me wrong I have the utmost respect for both Bobby's, but I think it could be time, hate to say it. Getting rid of Tex. recently and Furcal a couple yrs. ago, now Kotsay. Which way are we going. Having to go to A-ball for players does'nt make since. Why not go after Cam Maybin? Or how about getting John(former GM) back, and stay away from some old greats that ready for the Hall and SSI. Come on Hank, do something for the team.

8-28-2008 @ 1:49PM

Rich said...

20 errors in 228 total chances (.912), 45 K's & 51 hits in 215 ABs (.237 avg) / 56 games ain't "pretty good stats", even in the 1980 GCL Don.
Letting Kotsay go & allowing Boston to pick up the remaining $1.5 million for this year and $8 million for 2009 wasn't bad for the Braves. Offensively, the man scored 39 runs and 37 RBI for $6.5 milion. Gotta take the deal.

41.5

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