Atlanta Braves: Ranking John Hart’s Trades in 2015

Apr 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Phil Gosselin (11) hits a RBI single against the New York Mets in the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

1. June 21, 2015 – Phil Gosselin (Braves) for Touki Toussaint and Bronson Arroyo (Diamondbacks)

John Hart’s genius is evidenced in the trade that sent utility infielder Phil Gosselin to the Arizona Diamondbacks for top pitching prospect Touki Toussaint. The Atlanta Braves pulled off a heist, getting Toussaint for Gosselin, who had no future with the club. Bronson Arroyo was subsequently traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Dodgers in late July, making Los Angeles eat Arroyo’s contract. That makes this trade even sweeter.

The Diamondbacks drafted Toussaint in the first round of the 2014 draft, and somehow didn’t fit in Arizona’s future plans. Toussaint is now one of the top prospects in the Atlanta Braves’ system, but is still a few years away from making a major league impact.

2. May 27, 2015 – Alberto Callaspo, Eric Stults, Ian Thomas and Juan Jaime (Braves) for Juan Uribe and Chris Withrow (Dodgers)

Perhaps the best trade for the Atlanta Braves in terms of getting major league production, the club sent struggling infielder Alberto Callaspo along with struggling pitchers Eric Stults, Ian Thomas and Juan Jaime in return for a productive player in Juan Uribe and a reliever they can use next season (Withrow). Uribe became one of the best offensive players for the Atlanta Braves during his time in Atlanta, hitting .285 with 7 homers and 17 RBI’s before he was sent packing. John Hart gave up nothing and got a lot in return.

Sep 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman

(23) talks to fans before a game against the Miami Marlins in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

3. August 07, 2015 – Chris Johnson (Braves) for Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher (Indians)

Mired in a mediocre season, and becoming increasingly toxic to the Atlanta Braves clubhouse, John Hart sent third-baseman Chris Johnson packing for the shores of Lake Erie and the Cleveland Indians in exchange for two veteran players: Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn.

Both under contract past this season, Swisher and Bourn became key cogs in the Atlanta Braves’ lineup late in the season. Though both players did not play exceptionally well in both Cleveland and once coming to Atlanta, Michael Bourn finished the year on a tear, batting .286 over the final month of the season and becoming one of the Braves’ starting outfielders. Nick Swisher became one of the more effective run producers for the club, while his energy and passion resonated in the young Braves clubhouse.

John Hart traded a discontent and aggressive player for two veterans whose presence had an intangible impact on the Atlanta Braves. Nick Swisher’s enthusiasm and excitement to be in Atlanta was tangible, and hopefully both players remain in Atlanta next season.

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