🚨 ATLANTA BRAVES TRADE WITH RAYS: Wisely and Waldichuk Sent Packing for Cash or Player to Be Named Later 👇

In a surprising move, the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays have completed a trade that sends two players recently designated for assignment by Atlanta to Tampa Bay. The Braves are receiving cash considerations or the all-too-familiar “player to be named later”, which always leaves fans and analysts guessing. The Braves are sending infielder Brett Wisely and left-handed pitcher Ken Waldichuk to the Rays, both players who have struggled to carve out significant roles with the Braves.

Brett Wisely: A Florida Native Returning Home

Brett Wisely, a 26-year-old infielder, will make a return to his home state of Florida, where he will look to secure a roster spot with the Rays. Wisely was claimed off waivers by the Braves last September from the San Francisco Giants. He appeared in just six games for Atlanta in 2023. Though his time with the Braves was limited, he brings with him 168 career big-league games under his belt, having played every position in the infield as well as some time in the outfield.

Wisely’s familiarity with Tampa Bay could be beneficial as he tries to latch onto a roster spot with the Rays, where he originally started his professional career. His versatility, having played all over the infield and outfield, could make him a useful depth piece for Tampa Bay as they continue to build their roster.

Ken Waldichuk: A Lefty with Potential

The other player heading to the Rays is Ken Waldichuk, a 28-year-old left-handed pitcher with two years of MLB experience. Waldichuk, who was claimed off waivers just last week from the Oakland Athletics, has 29 career starts across 42 games, though his control has been a concern. For Waldichuk to secure a spot in Tampa Bay’s pitching staff, he’ll need to reduce his walk-rate, which has plagued him in the past.

Despite his struggles with command, Waldichuk offers some intriguing potential for the Rays, who are known for their ability to extract value from lesser-known pitchers. If he can find consistency and harness his stuff, Waldichuk could thrive in Tampa Bay’s pitching development system, where pitchers often experience career resurgences.

The Braves’ Return: A Mystery

As for the Braves’ return in this trade, it’s still unclear exactly what they will get in exchange for Wisely and Waldichuk. Cash considerations or a player to be named later are always uncertain elements of any trade, and it’s impossible to say how this will impact the Braves’ future roster. Whether the Braves end up receiving a significant player or a minimal return, the trade is another example of how Atlanta is making moves to keep their roster flexible while moving on from players who didn’t quite fit into their plans.

In the end, whether the Braves see any substantial benefit from this trade will depend on how the Rays choose to develop these players—and, as always, how that “player to be named later” pans out.

A Minor Trade with Major Potential

While this trade may not seem like a headline-grabber on the surface, it’s important to remember that Tampa Bay is a team that consistently finds value in overlooked players, and both Wisely and Waldichuk offer certain skills that could make them useful additions to the Rays’ roster. For the Braves, this move appears to be a way to clear up some space and potentially bring in something worthwhile down the road, whether through cash or a future asset.

Ultimately, it remains to be seen how this trade will play out for both teams, but for now, it’s a reminder that even seemingly minor trades can have big implications in the ever-shifting world of MLB rosters.