Atlanta Braves Make Another Smart Move to Ensure Their Future Success

The Atlanta Braves traded away one of their top infield prospects in Tony Pena Jr. Pena is 26 years old and "out of options" as in if the Braves want to keep him they have to either put him on their major league roster or put him on the waiver wire where the highly touted shortstop would most likely be snagged by another team immediately.

After hitting .342 this spring, Braves manager Bobby Cox had this to say about trading away Pena Jr. "I hate to see Tony go," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He's a great kid and terrific shortstop. He's ready to play in the big leagues right now. There aren't too many people around who can play shortstop like him."

Rather than losing all of Tony Pena's value by letting him go on the waiver wire like the Braves did with both Marcus Giles and Christ Reitsma this past offseason they were able to trade Pena to the Kansas City Royals for right hand pitcher Erik Cordier. Cordier was once regarded as one of the Royals top prospects before suffering an injury that required him to get Tommy John surgery last year.

Some people may look at Cordier's injury as a bad thing as he will not be able to even throw a pitch until next year's spring training. The Braves actually have an overabundance of pitching this year and would have no room for the 6'3" pitcher who has been known to get his fastball in the high 90's. By getting Cordier it gives the Braves another young strong arm to look forward to in the future.