ATLANTA, GA – JULY 15: The Atlanta Braves logo on a hat against the Chicago White Sox on July 15, 2023 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)
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The Atlanta Braves entered the trade deadline hoping to strengthen a roster with postseason aspirations, particularly a starting rotation that many around baseball believed still needed another frontline arm. Instead, the club emerged with only modest additions after apparently falling short on several ambitious pursuits.
That outcome left some disappointment around the organization, especially after another deadline in which Atlanta was linked to some of the biggest names on the market but ultimately chose not to pay the asking prices for elite pitching.
Atlanta Braves Part Ways With Former National League MVP In Surprise Roster Move
The roster fallout from the deadline continued almost immediately in the minor leagues and it came to impact a trio of veterans, including former National League Most Valuable Player Award winner Andrew McCutchen, who was from Triple-A cut alongside Austin Gamber and Ben Gamel, per the official transaction log.
While all three veterans are now free to sign elsewhere, McCutchen’s departure stands out the most. The five-time All-Star joined Atlanta’s organization as experienced depth but was unable to earn a return to the big leagues before his cut. He made a brief major league appearance with the Texas Rangers earlier this season.
Atlanta Braves Shuffle Organization Immediately After Harsh Trade Deadline
The decision to cut McCutchen evidently took place on Monday, as the Braves came to terms with a relatively quiet trade deadline.
“The Braves tweaked their roster at the trade deadline, but they fell short of making a substantial rotation addition who could alter their October outlook,” Gabriel Burnes wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s deja vu after the team was criticized in spring for failing to improve its starting pitching. The final result wasn’t from lack of effort. The team tried for numerous starting pitchers, including aces such as Texas’ Jacob deGrom and San Francisco’s Logan Webb…”
President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos defended the organization’s approach afterward in a press conference that held some tension.
“We said no to a lot of things,” Anthopoulos told reporters, per Burnes. “That’s not easy to do. But you have to do what you feel is right for the organization.”
For McCutchen, Gomber and Gamel, the releases create immediate free agency opportunities as veteran depth options for contenders seeking experienced reinforcements. McCutchen, in particular, brings a decorated resume that includes the 2013 National League MVP Award, more than 2,200 career hits and years of clubhouse leadership. Although his Braves stint proved brief, the 39-year-old now has another opportunity to extend one of baseball’s most accomplished careers elsewhere.