The Atlanta Braves put some finishing touches on their late season roster as they prepare for the postseason. Atlanta added Matt Diaz and Jack Wilson, from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners, for players to be named later.
Diaz gives the Braves the right handed outfield bat they have been looking for. After spending the last 5 years in Atlanta, Diaz signed with the Pirates this offseason. Playing the corner outfield spots and pinch hitting for Pittsburgh, Diaz only managed a line of .259/.303/.324.
But Atlanta coveted their former player because of his success against southpaws. Atlanta had a left-handed heavy outfield, and wanted to bring in someone they could use against tough lefty starters or relievers.
Diaz has been much better versus lefties (.720 OPS) this year compared to right-handed pitchers (.553). If you look at his career numbers, Diaz has had even more success. The 33 year old has maintained an OPS north of .860 when facing lefty pitching since joining the league.
Later in the day as the waiver deadline approached, Atlanta swung another deal. This time, Wilson was acquired to bolster the Braves’ middle infield depth.
Wilson is currently on the disabled list with a bruised left heel but is eligible to return this weekend. The 33 year old had only hit .249/.283/.295 over his 62 games with the Mariners this year. But, Wilson had shown signs of life at the plate before his injury, posting an OPS of .807 over 11 games in early August.
But Atlanta wasn’t coveting Wilson for his bat. Instead, Wilson provides the club an above average defender that can fill in and cover the middle of their infield.
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