The trade of Rafael Devers to the Giants has sent a shockwave through Major League Baseball. Atlanta Braves fans are no strangers to shocking trades as there have been a few throughout franchise history.
Some of them were necessary to help rebuild the organization but there are a couple that left fans scratching their heads. Let's take a look at a few of the most shocking in Braves history.
Here are 5 of the most shocking trades in modern Atlanta Braves history
Adam Wainwright traded to the Cardinals
The Braves had a young budding pitching prospect that many viewed as the future. However, the front office decided Adam Wainwright was worth trading for one year of J.D. Drew and utility man Eli Marrero. LHP Ray King and RHP Jason Marquis were also sent to St. Louis.
Wainwright went on to become one of the best pitchers in baseball for over a decade. Drew left Atlanta in free agency after slugging 31 homers during the 2004 season. It was his only season with the Braves and it left a sour taste in everyone's mouth.
Andrelton Simmons surprisingly traded to the Angels
Atlanta decided to move on from one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball because they felt his offensive game was going to decline. So, they traded the Gold Glove shortstop to the Angels to help rebuild the farm system.
They acquired LHP Sean Newcomb, SS Erick Aybar, and RHP Chris Ellis from the Angels in exchange for Simmons and C Jose Briceno. Newcomb had a ton of potential and almost threw a no-hitter for Atlanta in 2018. Aybar was terrible and Simmons batted .281 during his five year stint in Anaheim with a 19.9 WAR.
Braves welcome Mark Teixeira as their new first baseman
John Schuerholz's last trade as GM was acquiring first baseman Mark Teixeira and LHP Ron Mahay from the Rangers in exchange for SS Elvis Andrus, C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, LHP Matt Harrison, RHP Neftali Feliz, and LHP Beau Jones.
It was a lot of players given up to attempt to help the Braves reach the postseason. Atlanta wasn't able to sign Tex to an extension so he was traded before the 2008 deadline. Andrus became a top shortstop in baseball with the Rangers and amassed a 35.5 WAR for his career.
Braves trade two World Series favorites to Cleveland
David Justice and Marquiss Grissom were massive parts of Atlanta's 1995 World Series win. It was shocking to see them both traded in 1997 to Cleveland of all places. The Braves received Kenny Lofton and Alan Embree in return.
Lofton played in 122 games that season dealing with injuries in his only season with the team. Justice continued to be one of the best offensive threats in baseball, and helped Cleveland reach the World Series in 1997.
Craig Kimbrel traded to Padres on the eve of Opening Day
This trade caught everyone off guard as it took place on the eve of Opening Day. Craig Kimbrel was the best reliever in baseball at this time and no one expected the Braves to trade him. However, the looming rebuild caused them to do so.
He was sent to the Padres, who were hoping to win the offseason, along with B.J. Upton. Atlanta received Cameron Maybin, Carlos Quentin, Jordan Paroubeck, Matt Wisler, and the 41st pick in the 2015 draft.
However, this trade didn't work out how San Diego wanted. Matt Kemp, who was with the Padres, landed with Atlanta in 2016, Upton went to the Tigers, and Kimbrel was sent to Boston. Kimbrel eventually made his way back to Atlanta in 2025 but for just one game before being designated for assignment.