[Vyse]

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Atlanta raped this trade

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Detroit gains more championship equity than Atlanta.

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Atlanta improved much more than Detroit, and as constructed right now I'd say the Braves are better favs than the Tigers to make the playoffs.

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No, they didn't. Atlanta will take a small downgrade at short for a small upgrade at the #5 starter with a bunch of risk and save a few $$$$ plus a potential trading chip. That's all well and good and a nice gain, but Detroit gave up nothing for a huge upgrade at SS. Even if the money saved nets them Glavine, which is the assumption even though I think it's all going to Teixeira, Detroit still comes out better. This deal will not pay dividends for Atlanta until they realize the value of Hernandez which is at least two years away and carries a ton of risk and will most likely be via a trade. With Detroit being on the fringe of the playoffs, the upgrade to Renteria is monumental.

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The problem is the Tigers need more of a makeover to be the fourth-best team in the AL next year. The Indians, Red Sox, Yankees and Angels are all clearly better than the Tigers. Outside of that the Tigers are the clear favorite, but the Blue Jays, Twins, and even the A's -- basically, whoever has the best offseason -- also have the potential to be very decent teams.

Escobar (.289 EqA) + Jurrjens (LAIM for cheap) > Renteria + replacement-level SP or worse. Combined with the money and flexibility saved (5 years of cheap league-average minimum, likely better production from two key positions) it's a sick deal.