Atlanta Braves: Ranking John Hart’s Trades in 2015

Jun 2, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Braves outfielder

against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

8. August 31, 2015 – Jonny Gomes (Braves) for Cash (Royals)

Jonny Gomes was traded in the middle of game on August 31st to the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations. Though by no means an integral part of the Atlanta Braves offense, Jonny Gomes was the heart and soul of the club in 2015. His veteran presence in the clubhouse is highly valued, and was missed following his departure. I understand the the Atlanta Braves’ reasoning in trying to gain more assets, but still, this seemed like overkill.

Sep 9, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman

(28) reacts after a Michael Bourn (not pictured) score during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves won 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

9. July 30, 2015 – Alex Wood, Jim Johnson, Luis Avilan and Jose Peraza (Braves) for Hector Olivera, Paco Rodriguez and Zachary Bird (Dodgers)

The biggest blockbuster trade of the regular season for the Atlanta Braves, John Hart and company sent one of the Atlanta Braves most effective starters in Alex Wood, along with two of its best relievers and top positional prospect to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a 30-year-old, oft injured third baseman, and injured southpaw reliever (who is now out for 2016 after undergoing Tommy John surgery), and a middling pitching prospect. This trade infuriated Atlanta Braves’ fans, who now began to question the vision for the club.

Though Wood, Johnson and Avilan have struggled in their tenure in Los Angeles, the Atlanta Braves still do not come out as winners of this deal. Scouts project Hector Olivera to hit around .300 with 20+ home-runs, but at 30-years-old and with only a month of major league experience under his belt, their still is uncertainty swirling around Olivera’s performance at the major league level. Olivera did not make his debut for the Atlanta Braves until September, and hit .253 with 2 home-runs and 11 RBI’s in the final month of the season.

As previously mentioned, Paco Rodriguez will miss most or all of the 2016 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, while Zachary Bird has put up respectable numbers in the minors. It will take more time to tell, but given the small sample size, the Atlanta Braves gave up too much and received too little in this deal.

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