Atlanta Braves: 10 worst trades in recent Braves history
Recently, we took a look at the 10 best trades in recent Atlanta Braves history. Today, we are going to flip that coin and look at the 10 worst trades in recent Braves history.
As you will see, the Atlanta Braves have a better track record at making good trades than negative ones. Let’s take a look at the list:
10. December 18th, 2013: Atlanta trades Sean Gilmartin to the Minnesota Twins for Ryan Doumit
As mentioned earlier, the Braves history of making bad trades is not very big. That’s the only reason this trade makes the list. The only thing to really say about this trade is Ryan Doumit was just not very good in his lone season in Atlanta
9. July 29th, 2008: Atlanta trades Mark Teixeira to the Los Angeles Angels for Casey Kotchman, and Stephen Marek
As you probably already know, this won’t be the last time you see Mark Teixeira‘s name on this list. With only a few months left on his deal, the Braves shipped Tex out west for Casey Kotchman and Stephen Marek. It would have been nice to try to get a more premium prospect or 2 even for a rental player.
8. July 3rd, 2009: Atlanta trades Gorkys Hernandez, Jeff Locke, and Charlie Morton to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Nate McLouth
Nate McLouth was coming off an excellent All-Star season in Pittsburgh the year before. It turns out, that was his only real big year at the Major league level. McLouth never hit and spent the majority of his time in Atlanta on the DL. Charlie Morton, though much later in his career, has turned out to be the best player from this deal.
7. December 22nd, 1999: Atlanta trades Ryan Klesko, Bret Boone, and Jason Shiell to the San Diego Padres for Wally Joyner, Reggie Sanders, and Quilvio Veras
If you trade away the 2 best players in a 6-player deal…that’s usually not good. Ryan Klesko went on to be an All-Star in San Diego and Bret Boone continued to be a very productive second baseman. Quilvio Veras was not bad with the Atlanta Braves, but he couldn’t stay healthy. Reggie Sanders, on the other hand, was just plain bad, and he was shipped out after the 2000 season.
6. October 21st, 1983: Atlanta trades Rick Behenna, Brett Butler, and Brook Jacoby along with cash to the Cleveland Indians for Len Barker
Originally, this deal was players to be named later for Len Barker. Barker had 1 solid year with the Braves, but it doesn’t make up for the years they could have had Brett Butler. Butler would go on to become one of the game’s better players and leadoff hitters for the next decade. Brook Jacoby would end up becoming an All-Star third baseman.
5. March 27th, 1997: Atlanta trades Jermaine Dye, and Jamie Walker to the Kansas City Royals for Michael Tucker and Keith Lockhart
Jermaine Dye was coming off a fantastic rookie season, but the Braves shipped him to the Royals anyhow. Dye would go on to become a solid outfielder throughout his career, while Michael Tucker never did much in his 2 Atlanta seasons. Keith Lockhart became most known for continually making the team when others may have had more deserving ability to be on the roster.
4. July 30th, 2015: Atlanta trades Alex Wood, Bronson Arroyo, Luis Avilan, Jim Johnson, and Jose Peraza to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Zach Bird, Paco Rodriguez, and Hector Olivera (Braves also received a draft pick from the Marlins)
This deal was huge. It had many more moving parts than listed above. The Braves were smitten with Hector Olivera. So much so, they shipped out Alex Wood, a local product, who was producing at the Major league level, and who’s game has even improved since. Olivera was a total bust in Atlanta, and his troubles with the law even make this look worse than it did at the time. The one saving grace from this may be Joey Wentz though. He was the player picked with the acquired draft pick.
3. March 25th, 1997: Atlanta trades David Justice and Marquis Grissom to the Cleveland Indians for Alan Embree, and Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton was a total bust in Atlanta as he and Bobby Cox could not get along. He was acquired for his speed and while he did steal bases, his numbers across the board were down for his one and only season with the Braves. I think looking back, the Braves would have been wiser to keep Marquis Grissom.
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2. July 31st, 2007: Atlanta trades Beau Jones, Neftali Feliz, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia to the Texas Rangers for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay
The only player to appear on this list twice…Mark Teixeira. Look, I get why the Braves pulled this trigger, and none of the prospects given have become “superstars” but a few have become quality proven major leaguers. I think what makes this trade seem so bad is many people know with this package, the Braves could have gotten almost any player they wanted probably. It was all done in an effort to maintain “the streak”, with a seeming loss of perspective on the future of the organization.
1. December 13th, 2003: Atlanta trades Ray King, Jason Marquis, and Adam Wainwright to the St. Louis Cardinals for JD Drew, and Eli Marrero
First off, J.D. Drew was outstanding in his lone year in Atlanta, where he had his best year and finished 6th in MVP voting. But, wouldn’t it have been nice to have Adam Wainwright pitch for the Braves for all these years? That doesn’t even include Jason Marquis who also had some quality years.
Next. Who could be called up to Braves in September?. dark
In closing, I think it says a lot about the Atlanta Braves organization, that throughout all these years, they have only been on the wrong outcome a few times. Comparing the lists, the goods in my opinion definitely outweigh the bad’s. Let us know what should have been included or what should be higher or lower below.