Atlanta Braves: The 10 best trades in recent Braves history
By James Kunkle
3. December 9th, 2015: Atlanta Braves trade Shelby Miller and Gabe Speier to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Ender Inciarte, Dansby Swanson, and Aaron Blair
John Coppollela’s best move during his tenure with the Braves was no doubt getting this haul for Shelby Miller. Arizona has netted almost nothing out of Miller during his stay due to injuries. Ender Inciarte has won Gold Gloves and made an All-Star team, and Dansby Swanson has been the club’s starting shortstop for 2 seasons now. Aaron Blair was injured (though he could return once healthy), but even his struggles cannot prevent this from being a tremendously one-sided deal.
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2. July 18th, 1993: Atlanta trades Vince Moore, Donnie Elliot, and Melvin Nieves to the San Diego Padres for Fred McGriff
Fred McGriff raked in his time in Atlanta, and was a integral part as any during the 1995 World Series year. As for the return the Padres got in this deal – in spite of Melvin Nieves being one of the game’s top prospects at the time, he never panned out, nor did anyone else in the deal. Not all was lost for San Diego here though as Trevor Hoffman has been quoted as saying Donnie Elliot taught him how to throw a changeup. Hoffman rode that changeup all the way into Cooperstown this summer.
1. August 12th, 1987: Atlanta trades Doyle Alexander to the Detroit Tigers for John Smoltz
Was there ever really any doubt? Unlike most of these trades, Doyle Alexander actually provided an impact to his team, but they gave away one of the most dominant pitchers ever. John Smoltz was one of the best ever to pitch, especially in October. Everyone knows his numbers. He was an ultimate gamer, and I’m sure the Braves still smile when they think about their fortunes on that day.
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Any way you cut it, it’s obvious that the Atlanta Braves enjoyed their success in the 1990s and 2000s in very large part to the trade market over free agents.
So what do you think? Are there any deals you’d put on this list that aren’t here? Would you change the order on this list? Comment below!