The offseason shuffle between Atlanta and Anaheim is alive and well. It’s almost like a revolving door at this point. Players, prospects, and even coaches are hopping back and forth between the Braves and Angels.
When two organizations keep trading dance partners this frequently, you start to wonder if they’ve got a secret hotline set up just for these deals.
A Hometown Connection for the Braves
The latest in this series of swaps? The Braves have just snagged right-handed pitcher Davis Daniel from the Angels, giving up minor-league lefty Mitch Farris in return.
Davis Daniel’s story now has that “hometown kid” flair — born in Atlanta, spent high school in Montgomery, and played college ball at Auburn. If you’ve ever heard the phrase “Braves Country,” this guy’s been living in it his whole life.
Daniel made his MLB debut in 2023, coming out of the bullpen for three games and posting a very respectable 2.19 ERA. But things got a bit wobbly when the Angels decided to stretch him out as a starter.
In six starts, he clocked a 6.23 ERA over 30 1/3 innings — not exactly numbers you write home about. But hey, he’s got experience on both sides of the pitching coin: bullpen and rotation. And for Atlanta, that kind of flexibility is like gold.
Who is Mitch Farris, Atlanta’s Latest Departure?
Let’s talk about the guy heading west. Mitch Farris was a 14th-round pick for Atlanta in the 2023 draft. He’s already made his rounds in the minors, bouncing between Single-A Augusta, High-A Rome, and Double-A Mississippi.
Across those three stops, Farris put up a tidy 3.08 ERA over 108 innings — not too shabby for a fresh-faced 23-year-old lefty.
Atlanta and Anaheim: An Offseason Exchange Frenzy
This isn’t the first dance between these two teams this offseason. Oh no, the Braves and Angels have been swiping on each other all winter. Remember when the Braves dealt Jorge Soler for righty Griffin Canning?
That one didn’t exactly pan out long-term, as Canning got non-tendered and is now chilling with the Mets.
Then there’s Travis d’Arnaud, who took his catching talents and a $12 million, two-year deal to Anaheim after the Braves passed on his $8 million option for 2025.
Even the coaching staff isn’t safe! Sal Fasano, the Braves’ former catching coach, also packed his bags for the Angels, now serving as their assistant pitching coach.
It’s almost like Atlanta and Anaheim are piecing together some bizarre interleague hybrid roster, and who knows if they’re done yet? With plenty of offseason left, don’t be surprised if another flight from Hartsfield-Jackson to John Wayne Airport is booked soon.
The shuttle is open, the deals are flowing, and if you’re a Braves or Angels fan, you might want to keep an eye on your roster.
