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Atlanta Braves: Top 10 Trade Deadline Deals Since 1991

By Brian Cox

ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 24: Fred McGriff of the Atlanta Braves looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on July 24, 1996 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Braves defeated the Cardinals 4-1. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 24: Fred McGriff of the Atlanta Braves looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on July 24, 1996 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Braves defeated the Cardinals 4-1. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 04: Michael Bourn #2 of the Atlanta Braves looks on before during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 4, 2015 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won 5-2. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

10. Atlanta Braves send Juan Abreu, Paul Clemens, Brett Oberholtzer, and Jordan Schafer to Houston for Michael Bourn (2011)

The 2011 season found the Atlanta Braves in another fight for a playoff berth, but their lackluster production from all three outfield spots ignited their search to find a solid everyday center fielder to plug in at the top of the order.

With “problem child” outfielder Jordan Schafer headlining a package that was sent to Houston, the Braves received speedy centerfielder Michael Bourn to help provide some stability on defense and in the leadoff spot of the lineup.

While Bourn managed to steal 22 bases and hit a respectable .319, his lack of power and on-base ability did not quite jump-start the team as hoped, and the Braves ultimately finished 1 game behind St. Louis in the wild-card race.

Atlanta Braves
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 26: Alex Gonzalez #2 of the Atlanta Braves loses the ball while attempting to turn a double play on the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Turner Field on September 26, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

9. Atlanta Braves send Yunel Escobar and Jo-Jo Reyes to Toronto for Alex Gonzalez, Tyler Pastnornicky, and Tim Collins (2010)

In what seems to be a common trend with the Atlanta Braves front office, Atlanta chose to part ways with talented and sometimes-absent-minded SS Yunel Escobar in a trade with Toronto to bring back veteran SS Alex Gonzalez and two prospects.

Providing a solid glove and power at SS, Gonzalez hit 6 home runs and drove in 38 runs to help the Braves win the National League Wild Card and advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

Atlanta Braves
BRONX, NY – OCTOBER 27: Terry Mulholland of the Atlanta Braves during Game Four of the World Series against the New York Yankees on October 27, 1999 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images) /

8. Atlanta Braves trade Micah Bowie, Ruben Quevedo, and Joey Nation to Chicago for Jose Hernandez and Terry Mulholland (1999)

While Chipper Jones went on his monster tear to lead the Atlanta Braves to another NL East Division Championship, 1999 saw the Braves lose All-Star shortstop Walt Weiss to injury.  In a move that helped fill the void at SS while providing depth and strength at the back end of the rotation, the Braves sent 3 prospects to the Chicago Cubs for Jose Hernandez and LHP Terry Mullholland.

Hernandez managed to bop 4 HR and drive in 19 RBI, although he only produced an OPS of .675 in the process.  Mulholland, on the other hand, proved capable as both a 5th starter and in the bullpen while splitting his appearances between the two and finishing with a record of 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA.

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