Braves Trade Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton to the Padres

Mar 28, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) walks back to the dugout after he finished the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Leading all the way up to opening day today the Atlanta Braves were wheeling and dealing to retool their roster. The 2015 edition of the Braves will begin without the services of All Star closer Craig Kimbrel and outfielder Melvin Upton Jr (previously known as BJ Upton).  Both men were traded to the San Diego Padres for outfielders Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin.

The Braves will also get a minor league prospects with pitcher Matt Wisler and outfielder Jordan Paroubeck along with the 41^st overall pick in the upcoming draft.

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This move clearly puts Atlanta in rebuilding mode and they may be a lot closer to that 73 win preseason projection.  A lot of fans are disappointed that the team is losing arguably this best player who is 26 years old and averaged 46 saves and 1.51 ERA over the last 4 seasons.

On a positive note a lot of fans are rejoicing the trade of Upton who has been pretty much a disappointment since arriving to Atlanta with a large contract.  Batting around .196 and only hitting 21 combined home runs over the past 2 seasons, he has performed well below the largest free agent contract in Braves history. With the trade Melvin will join his brother Justin Upton who was also traded to the Padres earlier in the off season.

The Braves will clear a lot of cap room with this trade as the Padres will assume both Upton’s and Kimbrel’s contracts. The team will see Upton’s 46.35 million that is remaining on the final 3 years of his 5 year deal go away along 33 million left on Kimbrel’s contract.  Atlanta will absorb 24 million in contracts from San Diego to bring a net savings of around 54 million overall for the organization.

The new look Braves swept Marlins in Miami, so it’s so far so good for this group of new faces.