Braves Complete Three Player Trade With Cleveland

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians completed a three-player trade this afternoon, as Atlanta acquired outfielders Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn, along with cash considerations, in exchange for infielder Chris Johnson.  In addition, the Braves recalled outfielder Todd Cunningham from Gwinnett (AAA). Cunningham will be available for tonight’s game.  

Swisher, 34, hit .198 (20-for-101) with two home runs and eight RBI in 30 games for Cleveland this season. The 5-11, 195-pound switch-hitter started the season on the 15-day disabled list as he recovered from arthroscopic surgery on both knees in 2014. He made his season debut on May 5, before landing back on the DL on June 13 with left knee inflammation. Swisher, who throws left-handed, was in the midst of a major league rehabilitation assignment with Columbus (AAA) before today’s trade.

Originally drafted 16^th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Swisher also played for Chicago-AL and New York-AL, winning a World Series title with the Yankees in 2009. Swisher was an All-Star in 2010 for the Yankees, and for his career, owns a .250 (1,315-for-5,251) lifetime batting average with 241 home runs and 786 RBI in 1,481 games. He is signed through 2016 with a vesting option for 2017.

Bourn, 32, hit .246 (71-for-289) with 19 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 95 games for the Indians this season. The 5-10, 180-pound native of Houston, Texas, returns for his second stint in Atlanta, after the Braves acquired him at the trade deadline in 2011. Bourn, who hits left-handed and throws right-handed, batted .275 (234-for-851) in 208 games for the Braves, going to the All-Star game in 2012 before leaving in free agency for Cleveland following that season.

A fourth-round draft choice by Philadelphia in 2003, Bourn owns a .267 (1,143-for-4,273) career average and 322 stolen bases in 1,202 games. He made his Major League debut in 2006 with the Phillies before Houston acquired him in 2007. He was a two-time Gold Glove winner for Houston in 2009 and 2010 and led the National League in stolen bases for three consecutive seasons (61 in 2009; 52 in 2010; 61 in 2001). Bourn, who ranks sixth among active players with 322 steals, is signed through 2016 with a vesting option for 2017.

Johnson, 30, hit .235 (36-for-153) with two home runs and 11 RBI in 56 games for the Braves this season. He batted .286 (354-for-1,249) with 24 home runs and 137 RBI in 351 games over three seasons with Atlanta (2013-2015).