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Atlanta Braves looking to move Bourn or Swisher

By John Buhler

Aug 17, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Nick Swisher (23) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Nick Swisher (23) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Braves may still have a few more trades in the works before spring training, as they could part ways with either Nick Swisher or Michael Bourn.

According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the Atlanta Braves may look to move either Nick Swisher or Michael Bourn before the start of 2016, knowing that the club would have to eat a ton of either’s salary.

Both players came to Atlanta last year in a deal that sent third baseman Chris Johnson to the Cleveland Indians. Bourn was a popular player while in his prime with the Atlanta Braves a few years ago. Swisher is a charismatic, switch-hitting outfielder and first baseman who spent his MLB career in the American League.

Bowman believes that the starting outfield for the Atlanta Braves would likely not include either Swisher or Bourn, as many believe it will end up being Hector Olivera, Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis left to right.

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Swisher may have more value than Bourn at this stage of their careers as Swisher could play multiple positions, including designated hitter should he go back to the American League, and can also switch hit. Bowman argues that acquiring Inciarte limits what Bourn could provide the club as another left-handed hitting leadoff guy playing centerfield. There are questions about Swisher’s durability as he has two surgically repaired knees.

Swisher will make $15 million next season and Bourn will make around $14 million. Obviously the Atlanta Braves would have to take on much of either player’s salary should they pull off a trade involving either veteran outfielder.

My guess is that one will have played his last game for the Atlanta Braves before the start of the season, while the other will go at the trade deadline in a package deal should the Braves again look to sell in late July.

Neither player is nearly as valuable as they once were. However there is always a market for leadoff hitters (Michael Bourn) and switch-hitters that can play multiple positions (Nick Swisher). For those reasons, I can’t say that either player will end up getting DFA’d before the start of the year. Do however expect the Atlanta Braves organization to sell high on either player sometime between now and the July 31st trade deadline.

Next: Atlanta Braves sign pitcher Kyle Kendrick

Until outfield prospect Mallex Smith is ready for the Big Leagues, expect the Braves to have at least either Michael Bourn or Nick Swisher as a fourth outfielder on the team, assuming that the Hector Olivera goes over smoothly. If it does not, then both may get more playing time in leftfield.

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