The seven-player trade sends fan favorite Martin Prado to Arizona.
ATLANTA -
The Atlanta Braves have pulled off a huge trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Officials with the Braves and the Diamondbacks say the seven-player trade was completed on Thursday. The trade brings two-time former all-star outfielder Justin Upton to the Braves in exchange for five players, including infielder Martin Prado.
Along with Upton, the Braves also get third baseman Chris Johnson. Johnson hit .281 with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs with Houston and Arizona in 2012.
Good Day's Ron Gant, traveling with the Braves Country Caravan, spoke with Braves infielder Freddie Freeman when the trade was just a rumor.
"That's incredible. You know, it's a lot of fun when you know the management is trying to win and it's fun to come to the park every day, and it's going to be a fun year if we can get Justin. You have brothers that will want to compete and we'll want to compete against them," said Freeman.
In order to get a player like Upton, the Braves had to give up something, and that key piece is veteran utility man Prado. Prado was thought to be the replacement for Chipper Jones at third base, but the fact that he is eligible for free agency at the end of the year probably played into the Braves decision.
Prado is popular with the fans and his teammates. He's known as a guy that has done everything the Braves have asked, and his presence in the clubhouse will be missed.
On Twitter, Braves outfielder Jason Heyward tweeted, "Waking up to Christmas in January" @BJUPTON2, @JUS10UP10." Heyward made the tweet before the trade was complete.
Along with Prado, the Diamondbacks will get right-handed pitcher Randall Delgado, and three prospects to make up seven player deal: pitcher Zeke Spruill, and infielders Nick Ahmed and Brandon Drury.
Justin hit .289 and smacked 31 home runs with the Diamondbacks in 2011. A thumb injury slowed him down in 2012, hitting .280 with 17 homers.
He'll join his brother B. J. Upton and Heyward in the Braves outfield.
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The seven-player trade sends fan favorite Martin Prado to Arizona.
