The Braves have made another move in line with their focus on cost-cutting or adding depth. According to a team announcement, Atlanta has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels to trade Mitch Farris for Davis Daniel.
Ferris, a 14th-round pick by the Braves in the 2023 draft, has logged 124.2 innings since joining the organization. Over that span, he started 21 games and made nine bullpen appearances, posting a 2.96 ERA, a 30% strikeout rate, and a 9.7% walk rate, primarily at the High-A level.
Davis Daniel has limited major league experience, pitching 42.2 innings for the Los Angeles Angels over the past two seasons with a 5.06 ERA. However, his performance at the Triple-A level has been more promising. In 2024, he made 22 appearances (21 starts) for the Salt Lake Bees, recording a 9-7 win-loss record and a 5.42 ERA over 118 innings, with 122 strikeouts and 34 walks. Notably, Daniel was honored as the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month in September 2022 after posting a 2.38 ERA with 16 strikeouts across four starts. The Braves likely see potential in his Triple-A achievements and hope he can contribute positively to their pitching staff.
The 28-year-old pitcher started 21 games, totaling 118 innings with a 5.42 ERA. While those numbers might not stand out, especially for a player of his age at the Triple-A level, he demonstrated solid control, striking out 23.3% of batters faced and walking just 6.5%. Furthermore, his 4.41 FIP suggests his ERA was over a full run higher than it should have been, indicating some bad luck or external factors inflated his results.
This trade likely won’t make a significant impact, but it underscores the Braves’ focus on bolstering organizational depth. Reflecting on last season, Atlanta faced numerous injuries to key players in all areas of the roster. Depth proved to be crucial, and Alex Anthopoulos clearly understands its value better than most.
The Braves have pressing needs in the outfield, rotation, and bullpen, and as the offseason drags on, fan frustration continues to grow. That frustration is understandable, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Alex Anthopoulos has a few tricks up his sleeve—possibly including another impactful trade.
