BRAVES BRING IN LEFTY DOWNS FROM ANGELS
The Atlanta Braves acquired relief pitcher Scott Downs from the Los Angeles Angels for pitcher Cory Rasmus.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
The mid-June elbow injury incurred by key lefty reliever {P Eric O'Flaherty} put some strain on the Braves' bullpen (not to mention the loss of setup man {P Jonny Venters}) and, while young {P Luis Avilan} has been excellent filling in, Atlanta can really use veteran lefty Downs. With the Braves still atop the NL East, Downs can take a lot of pressure off the rest of the 'pen and give them added options down the stretch (since he can both set up and close). Downs is also a mature veteran who can bring calm and confidence to the bullpen and clubhouse. His contract expires after this season.
What does it give the Los Angeles Angels
Rasmus had a rough go of it when he was up with the Braves earlier this season, but he has an excellent arm and is an above-average talent who was a first-round pick in 2006. Rasmus possesses the strikeout stuff to potentially push for a late-inning role with the Angels down the stretch or next season, and considering all their question marks in the bullpen that's an option they need. The recent move of injured star {P Albert Pujols} to the disabled list may mean the Angels are out of the playoff race at his point, so moving Downs makes sense. They might move out other assets soon.
Fantasy impact
Downs will probably pick up more holds with the Braves than he did with the Angels, so he gets a small upgrade fantasy-wise here. No one else in the Atlanta bullpen is much affected. Although Rasmus isn't really on the fantasy radar yet (and is currently in the minors), he might now be a little more radar-worthy since he's joining an Angels organization with a depleted bullpen.
