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Atlanta Braves: 10 worst trades in recent Braves history

By James Kunkle

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 9: First baseman Mark Teixeira #23 of the Texas Rangers runs to first during the game against the Anaheim Angels at the Ballpark in Arlington on April 9, 2004 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 12-4. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 9: First baseman Mark Teixeira #23 of the Texas Rangers runs to first during the game against the Anaheim Angels at the Ballpark in Arlington on April 9, 2004 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 12-4. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 07: Hector Olivera #28 of the Atlanta Braves fields a ground ball in the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 7, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 7-2. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

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.

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