Source: Braves get Justin Upton and Chris Johnson from D-backs for Prado, Delgado, Ahmed and Spruill.

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) January 24, 2013

 

On why Prado was expendable:

Prado under club control for only one more season. Asked for $7.05M in arg, #Braves offered $6.65M. Eligible for free agency end of year.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 24, 2013

Prado was likely going to be looking for an avg. annual salary north of $10 million this year. Braves would likely have not gone that high

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) January 24, 2013

#Braves were willing to trade Prado after determining his asking price for multi-year ext. was $11M-$12M annually, higher than they would go

— David O'Brien (@ajcbraves) January 24, 2013

Quite simply, #Braves traded their MVP. Puzzled over haggling about relatively small $$$ for Prado & Ross, proven gamers.

— David Carroll (@DAVIDCARROLL3) January 24, 2013

 

On what a wonderful guy Prado is:

Also on Prado: One of most popular players on #Braves, if not most popular. One former Brave ays losing him is a "bad move."

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 24, 2013

I'm traveling today so I don't have time to break it down, but I felt Prado was the most valuable piece of the lineup. Steep cost.

— Tom Hart (@tom_hart) January 24, 2013

Not a happy camper right now, and I can promise you a lot of players on tha team are pissed as well to see Prado go

— LV Ware (@LV_Ware) January 24, 2013

If ever there was a guy you'd want on your team it would be Martin Prado. He was always professional, kind, funny, & especially available.

— Patty Rasmussen (@patty_rasmussen) January 24, 2013

Prado will be missed on the field and in the clubhouse no doubt about it. The unfortunate part of baseball.

— paul maholm (@paul_maholm) January 24, 2013

 

Fan reactions:

No

— Carlie (@car724) January 24, 2013

NO NO NO MARTIN

— Lauren (@LoMel) January 24, 2013

By the numbers, the deal makes sense. Emotionally, it sucks. Best of luck to Prado in Arizona. Ugh.

— Twhyla Fletcher (@Twhyla) January 24, 2013

As a lifelong fan I understand the deal and appreciate it for the team but idk no spring training and prob won't bother with opening day

— jane (@inthecalzone) January 24, 2013

@braveslove heard the JUpton news I was ready to give Wren a kiss (or a manly bro hug) I heard the Prado news, now I'm grabbing a pitchfork

— Kaylen Short (@kaylenshort) January 24, 2013

As much as I like the deal, really can't think about Prado not being out there! Yes its a business, but doesn't mean have to like the deal

— LV Ware (@LV_Ware) January 24, 2013

3B still an issue and Prado pride is devastated.

— Braves Craig (@CraigDesign) January 24, 2013

Wow, just saw this Upton news. I really liked Prado. Takeaway: Barves fans are going to lose their stuff when McCann is gone.

— Greg (@GTice4) January 24, 2013

I'm grumpy. What the heck #Braves? I want Prado and a good outfield. Why is that so much to ask for?

— Jennifer (@JenniferJV) January 24, 2013

i think the braves are actively trying to make me dislike them this offseason. no more rossy, hinske, OR prado?! excuse me while i go cry.

— callie (@callienicolef) January 24, 2013

i'm consoling myself with the knowledge that maybe #MVPrado will resign with us next year as a free agent. #loveshim #braves

— callie (@callienicolef) January 24, 2013

@jzwhip I think it's true that female fans, by and large, get attached to personalities, while male fans are more pragmatic.

— Melanie (@MelanieHMITH) January 24, 2013

@jzwhip Which I say as a female fan gutted by Prado's trade, despite understanding the long-term benefits of it.

— Melanie (@MelanieHMITH) January 24, 2013

 

Maybe Heyward's reaction says it all:

Waking up to Christmas in January @bjupton2 @jus10up10

— Jason Heyward (@JasonHeyward) January 24, 2013

 

I still haven't entirely sorted out my own feelings. Prado was one of the Best Braves Ever, he could do everything, and so many of my girlfriends are literally mourning today. On the other hand, we now have two Uptons, a talented, set outfield for at least 3 years, and we didn't have to give up my favorites Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty. (Still don't understand why so many fans were so eager to tell me those two were expendable.)

I'm sad he's gone. He'll be missed, both from a production and a personality standpoint. Who's going to do the handshakes now?

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