PADRES LAND YOUNG CATCHER BETHANCOURT
The San Diego Padres acquired catcher Christian Bethancourt from the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Casey Kelly and catcher Ricardo Rodriguez.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
This is an interesting trade for many reasons. For San Diego, adding Bethancourt to an organization that already boasts young catchers Derek Norris and Austin Hedges is rather intriguing. Norris may move to first base permanently, setting up a spring training showdown between Bethancourt and Hedges. Norris or Hedges may also be traded. Either way, Bethancourt still has plenty of time to maximize his vast potential as an all-round starting catcher.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
For the Braves, this is a curious deal because the 24-year-old Bethancourt was viewed as the team's catcher of the future heading into 2015. However, he struggled badly at the big-league level and was quickly supplanted by veteran A.J. Pierzynski. The Braves' acquisition of Tyler Flowers then sealed Bethancourt's fate. In Kelly, Atlanta lands a solid right-hander who just needs to prove he can stay healthy in order to win a job with the MLB squad. Rodriguez adds catching depth.
Fantasy impact
Bethancourt is a fantasy sleeper and has far more offensive upside than the more defense-oriented Hedges. That said, he would be behind both Norris and Hedges to begin 2016 if Norris isn't moved to first base or traded. As for Kelly, he should be in the mix for a starting rotation spot in Atlanta in spring training. He is a fantasy dark horse heading into '16. Rodriguez, who turns 18 later this month, is off the fantasy radar until at least a few more years.
