The Atlanta Braves lead the National League East and have been a nice success vs. bookmaker odds so far this season but they are not resting on their accomplishments.The Braves made a trade on Wednesday with Toronto that could help them even more vs. Internet bookmaker baseball odds.
The Braves traded for Toronto shortstop Alex Gonzalez on Wednesday. Gonzalez has 17 home runs this season for the Blue Jays and he should help Atlanta’s offense in the second half of the season. The Braves sent shortstop Yunel Escobar and left-handed reliever Jo-Jo Reyes to the Blue Jays for Gonzalez and two minor league players. The Braves believe that the addition of Gonzalez will give their lineup some power. Gonzalez is batting .259 and he had 50 RBIs for the Blue Jays. The Braves gave up Escobar who is six years younger than Gonzalez. He is struggling this season, hitting only .238 after having a nice season last year, hitting .299 with 14 home runs and 76 RBIs.
Based on this season’s numbers the trade looks like a good one for Atlanta but overall it may not be. Escobar was an excellent player for Atlanta last season and although Gonzalez is having a nice season for Toronto this year, he is not an elite shortstop. Escobar is much younger than Gonzalez and has more upside. The Braves are playing it safe though and going with Gonzalez as they try and win the National League East. In the long run the deal may not be a good one but the Braves want to win this season for retiring manager Bobby Cox.
The Braves are 10th in the league in runs scored but they are just 22nd in the league in home runs. Gonzalez may help them in the power department but his overall hitting may not end up being as good as Escobar’s was. It should be noted that nearly all of Toronto’s hitters this season are finding their power stroke. Whether or not Gonzalez can continue to hit with power is somewhat in debate. The Braves are hoping he can though, at least for this season vs. the Internet bookmaker baseball odds as they try and hang on to the lead in the National League East.