2014 MLB Trade Deadline: Braves trade Victor Caratini for James Russell, Emilio Bonifacio
According to Gordon Wittenmyer, the Atlanta Braves have traded for Chicago Cubs reliever James Russell and INF/OF Emilio Bonifacio:
Source: Russell and Bonifacio to Atlanta.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) July 31, 2014
Ken Rosenthal confirmed the deal as well.
Confirming: As others have reported, #Cubs trade Russell and Bonifacio to #Braves.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
So far this year with the Cubs, Russell has posted a 3.51 ERA, 4.27 FIP and 4.58 xFIP while striking out 7.02 batters per nine innings and walking 4.32 batters per nine. Facing 70 lefthanded hitters this season, he has allowed a .281/.358/.525 line and against 72 righties, he’s given up a slash line of .098/.243/.121.
In 69 games and 298 plate appearances, Bonifacio has hit .279/.318/.373 with a pair of home runs and 14 stolen bases. Bonifacio brings some valuable defensive versatility and has logged games in center field (48), second base (26), shortstop (1) and third base (7).
In exchange for these two players, the Braves gave up minor league catcher Victor Caratini, according to Peter Gammons:
Cubs got Victor Caratini from Braves
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) July 31, 2014
In low Class-A this year, Caratini has hit .279/.352/.406 with five home runs. Given the fact that the Braves have Evan Gattis and Christian Bethancourt in the system, it doesn’t seem like they are giving up too much–especially once you consider how far off Caratini still is.
We’ll be sure to bring you our analysis of this entire trade later tonight.
In the meantime, what are your initial thoughts on the deal?