Braves Transactions: 7/18/17

Traded RHP Chaz Roe to Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations.

Braves GM John Coppolella (Photo: MLB.com)

Traded RHP Chaz Roe to Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations

Outrighted to AAA just 5 days ago, Roe is in the midst of a broken season. Having pitched 4 innings across 3 levels, the 30 year old heads to Tampa Bay in a deal that suggests Atlanta has given up on the righty just a year after Roe pitched surprisingly well for the team (3.60 ERA / 2.72 DRA / 1.78 FIP).

There’s reason to believe the team may have given up on Roe too quickly. Over roughly 100 career major league innings, the former first round pick has a career 4.16 ERA, 3.59 DRA, and 3.77 FIP. He has 9.6 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, and a 56% ground ball rate. These aren’t elite relief stats, but they’re good enough for almost any bullpen in the majors, especially one that regularly features Jason Hursh. Roe isn’t great, but he’s usually been useful.

Only the Braves (and, perhaps, Rays) know the full extent of his injury and subsequent recovery, so bailing on Roe could be a medically motivated decision. But if he isn’t broken irreparably, Atlanta wouldn’t be the first team to give away the slightly below average reliever too cheaply – the Rays are his 8th organization. Chaz Roe certainly isn’t a needle-mover, so even in a worst-case scenario, the Braves haven’t lost a player that would have a profound impact on a pennant race. But they have sold a once useful guy for pennies on the dollar, and selling low is always a tad disappointing.

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