Earlier this week, the Atlanta Braves learned that first baseman Freddie Freeman would miss significant time with a fractured wrist.
On Saturday, the Braves took a step toward filling the void by acquiring first baseman Matt Adams and cash considerations from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for minor-league infielder Juan Yepez.
Back in 2013-14, Adams looked like a potential long-term solution at first base for the Cardinals. Since then, however, he's hit .250/.302/.433 (a 96 OPS+) with 22 home runs in 566 plate appearances. Look for the Braves to platoon Adams as aggressively as the Cardinals did -- he's faced at least 85 percent righties in each of the past three years.
It's worth noting Adams won't be a free agent until after the 2018 season. Although, provided Freeman makes a quick and full recovery, it's fair to wonder how (or rather, if) Adams fits into the Braves' long-term plans. For now, they're just hoping he provides better production than Rio Ruiz and their other internal options could.
Yepez, 19, had spent the season playing for the Rome Braves (Atlanta's Class A affiliate). He hit .275/.309/.387 there while primarily playing third base. He was not rated in the Braves' top 30 prospects, per MLB.com
