Why have the Atlanta Braves released Robinson Canó?

With only a day left before the trade deadline takes effect, the Atlanta Braves have picked up a bit of help in their infield, adding depth to a depleted roster, picking up second baseman Ehire Adrianza from the Washington Nationals in exchange for outfielder Trey Harris.

Just a few weeks ago, the Braves were one of the only teams who had few trading needs. With Adam Duvall going down with a hand injury, the Braves leapt suddenly to one of the big names to watch come trade deadline.

Their outfield and bats have taken a battering with the reigning World Series champs losing Duvall and Acuña, while their infield has been beaten up with Travis D’Arnaud and Ozzie Albies both out of their lineup.

To add salt to the wound, Robinson Canó has had a head injury which has left him off the roster for the last ten days, and now the Braves have taken a decisive step by signing Adrianza, making space on the roster by designating Canó for assignment.

This move is puzzling to many Braves fans, who wonder why the Braves are making such big moves to bring back Adrianza, who spent 2021 with the team and went .247/.327/.401 with 5 home runs and 28 RBIs. Most would have preferred to have made these sorts of moves to bring back last season’s talisman Joc Pederson from the San Francisco Giants.

Trey Harris was a 2018 draftee by the Braves and has hit .238/.388/.323 with 16 RBIs in Atlanta’s double A affiliate in Mississippi this season.