Quentin Trade Reaction: The Braves Let Another Opportunity Go

The San Diego Padres acquired Carlos Quentin from the Chicago White Sox today for Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez. The reaction to the deal is that the White Sox were looking to dump Quentin’s salary and many say that the prospects they received are nothing to get excited about. The Atlanta Braves, meanwhile, watched a hitter that they were interested in acquiring in the past get moved for pennies on the proverbial dollar. All of the talk this offseason about the Braves wanting to add an outfielder with power had no bearing in their lack of pursuit for Quentin. I admit three things about this deal: 1. Quentin is a free agent after 2012, so that diminishes his value in my mind; 2. He is owed in the estimated neighborhood of $6-7 million this upcoming year; 3. He is about as injury prone a player as one could obtain. However, if the Braves would have gotten Quentin, his bat would have been a nice addition to the Braves’ lineup in 2012. The Braves have Jason Heyward, Ma...