The Atlanta Braves<\/strong> didn’t have a single start from a left-handed pitcher in 2016. Not one.<\/p>\n General Manager John Coppolella<\/strong> made sure to change that heading into 2017.<\/p>\n The Braves have acquired Jaime Garcia<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> from the St. Louis Cardinals<\/strong>. The Cardinals received three prospects: right-handed pitchers John Gant<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> and Chris Ellis<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> and infielder Luke Dykstra<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Trading for Garcia continues toward the Braves plan this off-season.\u00a0Atlanta wanted to add\u00a0veteran starting pitchers that make\u00a0the team competitive for\u00a02017, but on short deals that didn’t block the slew of young pitching prospects they have in the wings.<\/p>\n Garcia is in the last year of a six-year, $50 million deal he signed with St. Louis in 2012. With Garcia, Bartolo Colon<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> and R.A. Dickey<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>, the Braves have added $32 million in payroll for 2017 with none of that money towards 2018.<\/p>\n Garcia had an outstanding 2015 season, going 10-6 with a 2.43 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 20 starts. His production regressed some in 2016, but he has consistently produced a mid-3.00 ERA in seven seasons, and is a\u00a0valuable, mid-rotation starter for Atlanta.<\/p>\n The prospects St. Louis received include two young starters that are close to MLB ready, and a young infield prospect with a famous last name.<\/p>\n John Gant<\/strong> made 11 starts for Atlanta in 2016, going 1-4 with a 4.86 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched. Gant could compete for the fifth sport in the Cardinals rotation, however he is better suited for 2017 in the long reliever, spot-starter role.<\/p>\nBraves Continue to Add Veteran Pitching<\/h2>\n
St. Louis Receives Three Prospects<\/h3>\n