The Washington Nationals have made their first trade ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. Washington traded infielder Ehire Adrianza to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league outfielder Trey Harris, the club announced Monday.
In a corresponding move, the Braves designated Robinson Cano for assignment.
This is Adrianza’s second stint with Atlanta. Last season he played six positions for the Braves during their run to a World Series title. He hit .247/.327/.401 with five home runs, 28 RBI and 21 walks against 42 strikeouts in 209 plate appearances with Atlanta.
Adrianza signed a one-year contract with the Nationals in March. However, the veteran was seldom used by Washington. He appeared in 31 games and hit .179/.255/.202 with seven RBI in 94 plate appearances.
The 26-year old Harris was the Braves’ No. 29 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The Braves selected him in the 32nd round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of the University of Missouri. He won the 2019 Hank Aaron Award which is presented to the best offensive player in Atlanta’s farm system.
This season Harris hit .238/.338/.323 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 220 plate appearances playing for the Braves’ Double-A affiliate Mississippi Braves.
Adrianza’s market was perceived as small. However, familiarity made him attractive to Atlanta. In turn, the rebuilding Nationals were able to muster something for a veteran that didn’t fit their plans beyond this season.
