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Atlanta Braves DFA Aviles, Swanson joins lineup

By Kathryn Morrison

Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits an rbi ground out during the first inning against the Virginia Cavaliers in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits an rbi ground out during the first inning against the Virginia Cavaliers in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Braves traded shortstop Erick Aybar to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday for Mike Aviles and minor league catcher Kade Scivicque. Wednesday, Aviles was designated for assignment by the Braves, and top prospect Dansby Swanson makes his major league debut.

Well, that didn’t take long. Much to no one’s surprise, less than 24 hours after obtaining former Detroit Tigers shortstop Mike Aviles, the Atlanta Braves have designated him for assignment. The Braves now have ten days to either trade or release him.

After shortstop Erick Aybar was traded to the Tigers, the Braves immediately called up top prospect Dansby Swanson. The Atlanta Braves are currently in the middle of a rebuilding process, naturally composed greatly of young prospects. They wasted no time (less than a solid 24-hours) with the decision to send down 35-year-old Aviles.

In a total of 68 games with the Detroit Tigers, Aviles was hitting .210 with a .527 OPS. As a utility player in 2016, he played all three outfield spots, second base, shortstop and third base for the Tigers.

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This move suggests that obtaining minor league catching prospect, Kade Scivicque, was the real purpose of the trade. Not to mention, the Braves were eager to bring up Swanson, who joins the lineup at shortstop on Wednesday night. Of course, they also wanted Aybar off their hands and if nothing else, the trade proves this: If Atlanta Braves general manager John Coppolella wants a player traded, it WILL happen, regardless of value.

Swanson makes his debut

Additionally, Swanson makes his major league debut Wednesday night against the Minnesota Twins. Though naturally this is cause for great excitement, the AJC’s David O’Brien is warning Braves Country not to make too much of the “Dansby Era.”

VIA David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

"Maybe the former Marietta High, the handsome kid with the great hair and ready smile, not to mention the national championship, Golden Spikes and College World Series MVP awards at Vanderbilt, will meet or surpass all expectations immediately upon arrival when he starts Wednesday night at shortstop for the Braves against the Minnesota Twins.But given how extreme those expectations are with some folks for him or anyone else drafted so highly – he was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who foolishly traded him to the Braves along with Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair for Shelby Miller – and written about so much."

Next: Atlanta Braves to call up top prospect Dansby Swanson

"Just keep in mind, he’s 22; he’s only played 127 professional games including 84 above Single-A and none in Triple-A; he’s not a big power hitter or base stealer; he was hitting .261 with a .342 OBP, 26 extra-base hits (five triples, six homers) and a .745 OPS in 84 games at Double-A Mississippi, where the Braves would’ve kept him for at least another couple of weeks if they hadn’t traded Erick Aybar on Tuesday."

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