The 2016 major league baseball’s trade deadline came to an official end this past Monday, a fury of deals was made in attempt for each ball club to better themselves for a stretch run or for the future of their organization. Perhaps the oddest of the trades was the Matt Kemp and Hector Olivera swap between San Diego and Atlanta. Breaking this trade down carefully shows San Diego is attempting to begin a rebuild while shedding payroll methodically. For Atlanta, they are in the midst of a massive rebuild where this season’s results are clearly empirical evidence of this rebuild. Atlanta has prospects bubbling throughout their farm system after trading away key stars such Craig Kimbrel and Jayson Heyward, and they are attempting to replicate home grown talent much like the Cubs.

After this deal went down, most fans of both organizations were scratching their heads wondering why a rebuilding team like Atlanta would trade for Matt Kemp, and why would San Diego acquire Hector Olivera only to eventually designate him for assignment? Let’s start with Atlanta’s bargain of this deal.

For the Braves, they view Kemp as an immediate upgrade in a paltry line up that intimidates no one in baseball. While Matt Kemp is a huge commitment for Atlanta, hence why San Diego also sent cash in this deal to help pay for his contract, Atlanta can go multiple routes in the off season with Kemp. First, if Atlanta decides to build around Kemp and Freddie Freeman, they now have a core of hitters with veteran presence that could accelerate the rebuilding process and build around young talent that is most likely to start reaching the big leagues next season. Alternatively, the Braves could eventually flip Kemp to a contender in the off season or at next season’s trade deadline if the rebuilding process continues. Either way, Kemp benefits Atlanta in either direction and the deal also helps Atlanta rid themselves of Hector Olivera who has been a total bust for them.

Hector Olivera has been a headache for the Braves organization all of this season, especially after his suspension which was a result of his domestic-violence situation back in April at a hotel. San Diego will designate Olivera for assignment, and if no other team picks him off the waiver wire, he will be sent to the minors. San Diego is essentially doing a cash dump of Kemp’s huge contract in an effort to better use funds not on expensive free agents or players but rather on the amateur marker, especially the international market.

While San Diego is beginning their new rebuild effort, Atlanta is currently waddling through one that has tested their fans patience. However, adding Kemp is a sign the Braves organization is not intentionally tanking or producing a team that is of less quality of other major league teams.