BRAVES TAKE A FLIER ON OF PRESTON TUCKER
The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Preston Tucker from the Houston Astros for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
Tucker is a quality hitter who can excel in a platoon role, but he is not much of a defensive outfielder. In the National League, the Braves will hope he can hold down left field against right-handers (that is, until top prospect Ronald Acuna is called up from the minor leagues).
What does it give the Houston Astros
The Astros no longer saw Tucker in their plans for 2018 and designated him for assignment earlier this week. Therefore, they will gladly take whatever cash comes their way, or a middling prospect at some point, from Atlanta. Marwin Gonzalez may play every day in left field in '18.
Fantasy impact
Since Acuna is knocking on the door of his Major League Baseball debut, Tucker's short-term fantasy value in Atlanta may be too short to bother. That said, Tucker's bat may at least provide a little fantasy super-sleeper value.
