Atlanta Braves: The 10 best trades in recent Braves history
By James Kunkle
7. January 15th, 2002: Atlanta trades Brian Jordan, Andrew Brown, and Odalis Perez to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Gary Sheffield
Yes, Gary Sheffield only lasted 2 years in Atlanta, but he mashed while he was there and provided a stellar 3-4 combo in the lineup with Chipper Jones. Brian Jordan had a solid year in LA in 2002, but missed most of the 2003 season, leaving Atlanta the clear winner of this trade.
6. December 8th, 2005: Atlanta Braves trade Andy Marte to the Boston Red Sox for Edgar Renteria
Andy Marte was once a “Can’t miss” prospect. Well…he missed. The Braves moved him at his peak value to Beantown, and the return was Edgar Renteria. Renteria ended up providing great numbers for the Braves and even made the All-Star team. His Atlanta stay didn’t last long but the Braves got something of value for Marte – a good example of maximizing a prospect’s value, something the Atlanta Braves have done often over the years in deals.
5. April 6th, 1995: Atlanta trades Tony Torasco, Esteban Yan, and Roberto Kelly to the Montreal Expos for Marquis Grissom
Atlanta got its starting center fielder and leadoff man for the World Series year at the very start of the season. None of the players Montreal received ever contributed much either. This was a financial trade for the Expos as they tore down their successful 1994 team. Marquis Grissom got to win a World Series with his hometown team as well.
4. December 17th, 2004: Atlanta trades Juan Cruz, Dan Meyer, and Charles Thomas to the Oakland A’s for Tim Hudson
Tim Hudson got to come home and pitch for his hometown team. He did a great job at it as well. “Huddy” put up great numbers throughout his Atlanta stay and continued to be among the best pitchers in the game. In what you can see is becoming a trend, none of the players traded away were big contributors for the Athletics.