Indians trade Swisher, Bourn to Braves for Johnson
The Cleveland Indians are parting ways with a pair of sizable contracts after pulling off a major two-for-one deal with the Atlanta Braves.
The Indians traded first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher, speedster Michael Bourn, and cash to the Braves for third baseman Chris Johnson on Friday.
The Indians will clear a significant amount of salary by shipping Swisher and Bourn to Atlanta. However, the Indians are reportedly sending more than $10 million to the Braves to offset the cost of Swisher and Bourn's contracts.
Swisher is due $15 million next season and has a $14-million vesting option for 2017 if he makes 550 plate appearances in 2016, and passes a physical at the end of the season.
Bourn is set to make $14 million in 2016 and has a $12-million vesting option for 2017 that activates with 550 plate appearances next season.
Johnson will make $16.5 million over the next two seasons and has a $10-million team option for 2018 with a $1-million buyout.
| PLAYER | GP | 2B | HR | SB | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson | 351 | 68 | 24 | 8 | .713 | 2.2 |
| Bourn | 331 | 50 | 9 | 46 | .660 | 2.0 |
| Swisher | 272 | 51 | 32 | 1 | .688 | -0.1 |
Swisher could fill in for Freddie Freeman (currently on the DL with an oblique strain) at first base once Swisher's healthy enough to return to the lineup. The 34-year-old has been plagued by knee injuries over the past couple of seasons, limiting him to only 30 games this year.
Bourn was an All-Star during his first stint with the Braves in 2012 after being traded to Atlanta in 2011, but is no longer the speed demon he was back then. The 32-year-old outfielder, once considered one of the elite leadoff hitters in the bigs, has only 13 steals in 18 attempts this year.
"We didn't play .500 baseball. When that happens somebody has to pay the price. I guess that's me," Bourn said.
Johnson has the ability to play first and third base, but will be competing for playing time with Jerry Sands and Giovanny Urshela.
"It's not as shocking as I thought. I'm excited to start fresh," Johnson said after he caught wind of the trade. "I have no hard feelings of anything that happened here. I'm grateful for a lot of things that happened here."