MINORS SLUGGERS FREIMAN, MOORE MOVED
The Washington Nationals acquired first baseman Nate Freiman from the Atlanta Braves for first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore.
What does it give the Washington Nationals
This swap represents a much-needed change of scenery for both Freiman and Moore. In Freiman, the Nats receive a jumbo-sized first baseman who brings a little more plate discipline to his game than Moore. Like Moore, Freiman has spent a lot more time in the minors than in the majors, and in the minors he's shown he can be a power-hitting run producer. If on his game, Freiman will provide power-bat insurance behind injury-prone first baseman Ryan Zimmerman.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
Like Freiman, Moore has shown he can mash (at least in the minors, where he produced consecutive 31-homer campaigns in 2010 and '11). Like Freiman he's an aging slugger who hasn't quite proven himself in the majors. He doesn't have as much patience at the dish as Freiman, but Moore does have more positional versatility (playing left field for the Nats several times last season). If all goes well Moore will bring depth and insurance behind superstar first-sacker Freddie Freeman.
Fantasy impact
Both Moore and Freiman are unproven and both are pushing 30 years of age, so neither is obviously a must-add fantasy option. That said, both players have a lot of pop, and if injuries strike on the Braves or Nationals this season then opportunity might knock. Expect both to push for primary backup first base duties, respectively, as the season progresses.
