With the recent trade by the Los Angeles Angels, there has been speculation surrounding the future of Tucker Davidson with the Atlanta Braves.
Davidson, who was a part of the package sent to the Angels in exchange for closer Raisel Iglesias, has been a promising start for the Braves since being called up in 2019.
However, with the Braves starting rotation depth and newfound relief pitching need, the organization may be considering a different role for Davidson.
Background of the Raisel Iglesias Trade
Details of the trade
The Los Angeles Angels and the Atlanta Braves made a trade on July 30, 2021, just before the MLB trade deadline. The Angels traded their closer Raisel Iglesias to the Braves in exchange for starter Tucker Davidson and veteran reliever Jesse Chavez.
Iglesias was in the final year of his contract, and the Braves will assume the remainder of his $9.125 million salary for the 2021 season.
The Angels’ motivation for trading Iglesias
The Los Angeles Angels’ decision to trade Raisel Iglesias was driven by several factors. First, the Angels are currently in fourth place in the American League West division with a record of 53-53.
They are unlikely to make a push for a playoff spot this season, and trading Iglesias helps them acquire assets for the future.
Second, Raisel Iglesias was in the final year of his contract, and there was a chance that he could leave the team as a free agent after the season. Rather than risk losing him for nothing, the Angels decided to capitalize on his value and trade him to a contender.
Finally, the Angels have struggled with injuries on their pitching staff this season, and trading for Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez gives them much-needed depth at the position.
Analysis of the trade
On the surface, the Angels’ decision to trade Raisel Iglesias for Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez seems like a reasonable move. Davidson, a 25-year-old left-handed pitcher, has had some success at the minor league level and could develop into a reliable starter for the Angels.
Chavez, a 38-year-old journeyman reliever, provides veteran experience and depth to a bullpen that has struggled this season.
However, the Angels may have sold Iglesias short in this trade. Iglesias was one of the most effective closers in the American League this season, with a 2.58 ERA and 20 saves in 38 appearances.
He also has the ability to pitch multiple innings, making him a valuable asset in the playoffs. In contrast, Davidson and Chavez have limited major league experience and are unlikely to have an immediate impact on the Angels’ roster.
Overall, the Angels’ decision to trade Raisel Iglesias to the Atlanta Braves for Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez is a calculated gamble.
If Davidson develops into a reliable starter and Chavez provides veteran leadership in the bullpen, the trade could pay off in the long run.
However, if Iglesias continues to pitch at a high level and the Angels struggle to find consistent pitching, the trade could be viewed as a missed opportunity.
Who is Tucker Davidson?
Davidson’s Career
Tucker Davidson is a left-handed starting pitcher who was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 19th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He made his professional debut in 2017, playing for the Class-A Rome Braves before getting promoted to the High-A Florida Fire Frogs.
In 2018, he spent the entire season with the Fire Frogs, pitching to a 3.04 ERA in 22 starts. Davidson continued to progress through the Braves’ minor league system, reaching Triple-A Gwinnett in 2019.
His performance with the Braves
Davidson finally made his MLB debut on August 18, 2020, against the Washington Nationals. In his debut game, Davidson pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five batters.
He was impressive in his two starts last season, allowing only one earned run in 6 1/3 innings pitched, giving him an ERA of 1.42. In 2021, Davidson got off to a solid start, pitching four innings and allowing two runs on three hits in his first start of the season.
However, he was placed on the 10-day injured list with a forearm strain in early May. Davidson returned to Triple-A after his injury and has been working as a starting pitcher for the Gwinnett Stripers.
Aspects of his pitching style and strengths
Davidson is known for his mix of pitches, which includes a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. His fastball averages around 92 mph, but he can reach up to 95 mph on occasion.
Davidson’s slider has become his primary out-pitch, generating swings and misses at a high rate. He also uses his changeup and curveball effectively to keep hitters off balance.
His command has been particularly impressive, as he has walked only two batters across 6 1/3 innings in the majors.
The Angels’ acquisition of Davidson in the trade for Iglesias adds a promising young pitching option to their roster. The left-hander has shown the ability to pitch effectively at both the minor league and major league levels, and he has a diverse pitch mix that allows him to keep hitters guessing.
Davidson’s success in the majors will depend on his ability to stay healthy and continue refining his craft, but he has the potential to become a key contributor to the Angels’ rotation.
What Jesse Chavez Brings to the Angels
Chavez’s Career
Jesse Chavez is a veteran journeyman reliever who has pitched for seven different teams throughout his 13-year career in the Major Leagues.
He was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 42nd round of the 2002 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 2008. Since then, he has been a consistent presence in the league, primarily serving as a relief pitcher.
His Effectiveness as a Reliever
Over the course of his career, Chavez has been effective as a reliever, posting a career ERA of 4.61 and a WHIP of 1.42. While those numbers may not be eye-popping, he has proven to be a dependable pitcher who can eat up innings and provide stability to a bullpen.
Chavez has also been effective at limiting walks, averaging just 2.7 walks per nine innings throughout his career.
How He Fits Into the Angels’ Bullpen
With Iglesias gone, the Angels have a hole to fill in their bullpen, and Chavez will help to provide stability in that area. He has experience pitching in high-leverage situations and can serve as a setup man for new closer Raisel Iglesias.
Chavez’s ability to eat up innings will also be valuable to the Angels, who have struggled in recent years to find reliable relievers to bridge the gap to their closer.
Overall, while the loss of Raisel Iglesias is a big blow to the Angels, adding Jesse Chavez to their bullpen will help to mitigate some of that damage. Chavez’s experience and dependability will be valuable assets to the team and he should be able to fill the role of setup man admirably.
Tucker Davidson’s Role on the Braves
The Atlanta Braves have acquired Raisel Iglesias from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez.
This move will give the Braves an established closer for the first time since Mark Melancon’s departure, as Iglesias is coming off a season where he recorded 32 saves, the second-highest total in the American League.
In contrast, Tucker Davidson is a young starting pitcher who has been developing in the Braves farm system.
Davidson was drafted by the Braves in the 19th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. The 6’2″ left-handed pitcher has been known for his ability to throw strikes and induce ground balls.
He made his major league debut in 2020, where he started two games, allowing only three runs over twelve innings with ten strikeouts. He came back for a limited time in 2021 due to injury, giving up only two runs in five innings.
Davidson’s future with the Braves is uncertain. He has a higher ceiling than Jesse Chavez, but he will have to overcome strong competition for a spot in the rotation.
In addition to Max Fried, Charlie Morton, and Ian Anderson, the Braves also have other young talents such as Kyle Muller and Huascar Ynoa, who will all compete for spots in the starting rotation next season.
Given Davidson’s potential to be the third-best left-handed starting pitcher on the team behind Fried and Drew Smyly, he is capable of earning a rotation spot if he can remain healthy and perform well during spring training.
At 26 years old, Tucker Davidson brings youthful talent to the Angels’ rotation. In addition to young talent, the Angels have an aging veteran in Jesse Chavez, who will be used as a reliever or spot starter on the team.
The Braves are relying on Davidson’s solid health, along with his development and potential since he still has four years left of team control.
The Angels’ willingness to part with Iglesias, who has a reputation for being a consistent and efficient closer, shows that they’re cleaning up their payroll and looking to rebuild.
With the Braves, Iglesias has the potential to be a vital piece of their bullpen and make a significant contribution toward postseason success.
Impact of the Trade on the Braves and Angels
How Iglesias and Davidson/Chavez will benefit their new teams
The Braves have struggled with their bullpen this season, which is why acquiring Raisel Iglesias is a significant move for them. In his last three seasons, Iglesias has been one of the most reliable closers in the league, with a 2.74 ERA, 72 saves, and a 31.5% strikeout rate.
He will immediately become the Braves’ closer, adding stability and experience to the back end of the bullpen.
On the other hand, the Angels acquired Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez. While Davidson only has limited Major League experience, he has shown potential as a left-handed starter.
He posted a 1-0 record with a 2.03 ERA in three starts in 2020, and he could develop into a valuable piece of the Angels’ rotation.
Chavez, on the other hand, is a well-traveled veteran who has pitched for ten teams over his 19-year career. He will likely have a more limited role in the Angels’ bullpen but could still provide reliable innings when called upon.
Changes to the Braves bullpen
The acquisition of Iglesias will likely result in a domino effect on the Braves bullpen. Chris Martin, who has been serving as the closer, will shift to a setup role, and Will Smith will move to a more flexible role in the bullpen.
This will help the Braves manage their bullpen more effectively and give them more options in high-leverage situations.
Use of funds saved by the Angels in the trade
By trading Iglesias, the Angels will save money, as they will no longer have to pay his contract extension. This could free up funds for the Angels to pursue other areas of need before the trade deadline.
The Angels have been struggling with their starting pitching, and the funds saved from this trade could help them acquire a more reliable starter to bolster their rotation.
In summary, this trade will benefit both teams, as the Braves upgrade their bullpen with Iglesias and the Angels add potential pieces for their rotation and bullpen while saving money.
It will also result in changes to the Braves bullpen structure, giving them more flexibility and options. Only time will tell how these moves will impact both teams in the long run.
Why Did Ted Turner Sell the Braves?
Ted Turner sold the Braves due to financial pressures from Time Warner. He needed to pay off debts resulting from the AOL-Time Warner merger. Turner also faced criticism over his management of the team.
The Braves’ performance declined in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Turner felt he could no longer devote the time and resources necessary to the team’s success. The sale included the team, Turner Field, and surrounding real estate.
Liberty Media Group purchased the team for $450 million in 2007. Turner still maintains a small ownership stake in the team. The Braves have since moved to SunTrust Park in suburban Atlanta. Turner’s legacy with the Braves includes 14 division titles and one World Series championship.
Who Owns the Braves Now?
The Atlanta Braves are currently owned by Liberty Media’s subsidiary, Braves Holdings, LLC. Liberty Media acquired the team in 2007 from Time Warner for $450 million. The team’s current value is estimated to be around $1.8 billion.
John C. Malone, chairman of Liberty Media, is the primary owner of Braves Holdings. The team’s president is baseball legend, Terry McGuirk. Under their ownership, the Braves have won several National League East titles and a National League pennant.
The Braves also own and operate various real estate projects near their home stadium, Truist Park. The team’s revenue in 2019 was approximately $476 million.
The Braves have invested in international scouting, acquiring talent from countries such as Japan and Cuba. The team’s current manager is Brian Snitker, who led the team to a World Series appearance in 2021.
To Recap
At the moment, it remains unclear what the Braves’ plans are for Tucker Davidson going forward. While his potential as a starter is undeniable, the Braves may choose to utilize him as a long reliever or even a setup man to help solidify their bullpen.
Only time will tell how Davidson’s career with the Braves will unfold, but one thing’s for sure – he has the talent and versatility to make a significant impact wherever he ends up.