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Atlanta Braves Trade Johnson for Swisher, Bourn

By John Buhler

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Just when I thought that John Hart couldn’t possibly do anything dumber than pulling off that head-scratching deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins, he went out of his way and totally redeemed himself!

The Atlanta Braves have just acquired 1B/OF Nick Swisher, former Atlanta Braves CF Michael Bourn and cash from the Cleveland Indians for 1B/3B Chris Johnson.  John Hart once again pulled off an amazing trade for the Atlanta Braves, this time after the non-waiver deadline that came and went on July 31st.

-= Jace Peterson: Long-Term Answer at 2B? =-

With the face of the franchise 1B Freddie Freeman on the Disabled List for a second time this season due to an oblique injury, Atlanta needed to upgrade first base if Freddie’s 2nd DL stint is a longer one than expected.

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    • Chris Johnson lacked focus at first the last few games, expressing his wish to play elsewhere publicly in the last month.  With Kelly Johnson now on the New York Mets, Joey Terdoslavich had to emergency play first base in Freeman’s absence.  Since Freeman’s return to the 15-Day DL, defense at first has been a disaster.

    The Atlanta Braves are getting a switch-hitting bat in Nick Swisher than can play both first base and in the outfield.  Don’t ask him to play third, he’s a lefty.  Though he is only hitting .189 in 30 games played for the Cleveland Indians this season, the career American Leaguer should find some success playing in the Senior Circuit for the first time.

    The former prized piece of the Oakland Athletics organization according to Moneyball, Swisher has been an All-Star and a World Series Champion with the New York Yankees organization.  He has also spent time as a member of the Chicago White Sox.  The Atlanta Braves organization is the fifth team Nick Swisher joins in his Major League career.

    Perhaps the greatest throw-in in the trade is that Michael Bourn is back in Atlanta Braves uniform.  Bourn is a two-time All-Star and once with the Atlanta Braves back in 2012.  He was a great centerfielder for us for a year and a half in 2011-12 before signing a big deal to play for the Indians in 2013.  Though he was only hitting .248 for a lowly Cleveland Indians team, Michael Bourn is back!

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    Cleveland is also sending the Atlanta Braves $10 Million while also taking on Chris Johnson’s albatross of a contract, owed $26 Million over the next season and change.  So we get Nick Swisher who can switch-hit and play both first base and in the outfield, Michael Bourn is back in Atlanta, and Cleveland then pays John Hart over $10 Million to take on the contract of Chris Johnson.  I love this deal so much!

    Welcome to Atlanta, Nick and welcome back, Michael.  I can’t wait to see y’all in Atlanta Braves uniform this weekend.  Though it’s a little rough around the edges here in Atlanta at the moment, John Hart is building something special and I’m glad you guys are a part of it.  Go Braves!

    Next: Adonis Garcia: From Journeyman to Unsung Hero

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