ATLANTA -- After spending nearly a year attempting to trade Chris Johnson, the Braves finally proved successful on Friday, when they agreed to a swap of bad contracts that brings Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn to Atlanta.The Braves announced they traded Johnson to the Indians in exchange for Swisher, Bourn and cash considerations. A Major League source confirmed the approximate $10 million Atlanta will receive essentially offsets the financial commitments owed to all three players.
Swisher and Bourn are owed a combined $29 million next season. Johnson is owed approximately $19 million through the end of the 2017 season.
Though there is some doubt about Swisher's ability to be healthy enough to ever be a productive player again, the Braves have been willing to do whatever they can to rid themselves of the contract Johnson was provided during the early portion of the 2014 season, when Frank Wren was the club's general manager.As a bonus, the Braves will now be reunited with Bourn, who established himself as a highly-respected clubhouse leader while playing in Atlanta during the 2011 and '12 seasons.Bourn is guaranteed $14 million next year. His $12 million option for the 2017 season would also vest if he totals at least 550 plate appearances next year.Swisher has batted .206 with a .597 OPS while battling a multiple knee injuries since the start of the 2014 season. The 34-year-old former All-Star underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees last year and has played just 30 games this season. He is guaranteed $15 million next season and has a $14 million option for the 2017 season that likely won't vest because of his physical limitations.Though the Braves are aware of the possibility that Swisher's on-field contributions might be very limited, they view him like Bourn -- as a solid clubhouse presence. Assuming a portion of Swisher's salary was simply the cost they had to pay to move Johnson, who was not happy to be relegated to a part-time role this year after spending this past offseason knowing Atlanta was diligently trying to trade him."Yeah, there's a little bit [of a relief]," Johnson said after the trade. "But there's no hard feelings. I'm grateful for a lot of things that have happened here. I've played with a lot of great teammates, and I had a lot of great coaches. I've had a lot of fun [in Atlanta], but it's time to move on."Bourn batted .246 and stole 13 bases in 96 games for the Indians this year. The veteran center fielder earned an All-Star selection in 2012 while helping Braves reach the postseason.Johnson nearly won the National League batting title in 2013, when he hit a career-best .321, but has batted just .257 with a .630 OPS since the start of last year. However, the veteran corner infielder has hit .369 with a .904 OPS in 176 at-bats against left-handed pitchers during that same span.
Mark Bowman/MLB.com
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