With the trade deadline passed, it looked like Chris Johnson wasn’t going anywhere, despite the fact that he and the Atlanta Braves mutually wanted to part ways. Then, with Johnson passing through waivers, the Cleveland Indians stepped in and helped to negotiate a deal after the deadline. So on August 7, the Indians and the Braves made a strange trade by my estimation, with Cleveland moving OF Michael Bourn and 1B/OF Nick Swisher to Atlanta for 3B Chris Johnson. At first glance, nobody really got a whole lot better. Bourn has been in decline for some time now. Swisher too, and he’s dealt with his fair share of injury problems this season. The Braves made the mistake of paying for Chris Johnson’s breakout; then they wanted out of it. Now all three contracts look like albatrosses. Indians GM Chris Antonetti decided to make a swap of two bad contracts for one. Even though this may not be a significant deal, the Indians trade for Chris Johnson may be better than at first glance.
First, a quick glimpse at the Indians’ players involved. Nick Swisher is a power hitter, mainly delegated to first base or right field. He’s a switch hitter, and he’s actually had decent power to both sides. He’s a patient hitter, so he’ll draw his fair share of walks, but he strikes out at a poor rate as well. He seems to be in decline, as age is catching up with him. He’s had two different stints on the DL this year, and in the 30 games he’s played this year, he has a .198 batting average with just two homers and eight RBI.
Michael Bourn also seems to be in decline as well. Once thought to be an excellent center fielder, Bourn has turned in three straight seasons with a below average UZR rating with the Indians. He’s posted strikeout rates around 23% each of the last three seasons, which, when combined with a declining strikeout rate and a lack of help from the BABIP gods, has forced his OBP numbers down each year. His speed on the basepaths, while still an asset, has seen decline each year as well. He’s actually done a good job of staying on the field this year, but he’s had his own injury issues in the past as well.
Atlanta’s Chris Johnson posted a .321 batting average in 2013, his first full year with the Braves, which was good for second that season. Apparently impressed by Johnson’s stellar outing, then-GM Frank Wren signed him to a $23.5 million extension for three years, with a $10 million team option for a fourth year (or a $1 million buyout). Johnson then went on to hit a .257/.288/.352 batting line, good (or bad?) for a 78 wRC+. The Braves’ new management were apparently shopping him after the 2014 season, and upon hearing this, Johnson apparently wanted out too. It’s hard enough performing consistently in the Majors, but when you don’t feel like you’re wanted, it makes it that much more difficult.
So what does this trade mean for the Tribe? Well, Swisher and Bourn were owed a combined $29 million in 2016. For a team that’s looking to contend to have that much dead space on the books, it wasn’t going to work. So Indians GM Chris Antonetti got creative and found a team that wasn’t fancying themselves a contender next year in the Braves. They were willing to take on that much dead salary in 2016 in order to move Johnson and clear space for 2017 (as long as the vesting options don’t take effect on Swisher and Bourn’s contracts, though that’s unlikely). It’s the Braves’ hope that in 2017 they will move into their new ballpark with a winning nucleus ready to rumble.
There is that little problem with the cash Cleveland sent back to Atlanta, though. Initially it was reported that the cash being sent to the Braves was something close to $10 million, which would have made this a great move for the Tribe. Now, though, it’s looking like that amount is closer to $15 million. The money overall is about even. But, next year, between the $7.5 owed Johnson and the $15 million to help pay for Swisher and Bourn, they pay $22.5 million instead of the full $29 million before.
With Johnson on the roster instead of Swisher and Bourn, this also creates more roster flexibility. Although third base is currently being manned for the foreseeable future by Giovanny Urshela, Johnson could platoon there while also playing some at first base and maybe in the outfield some as well. Johnson is best used against lefties, who he’s mashed against to the tune of a .314/.349/.439 batting line in his career.
The Indians have a solid young core to build around. The pitching staff is tremendous. The bullpen is solid too. The lineup is starting to come together. They may only be one or two key free agents away from challenging for the AL Central crown. With the salary they shed, this trade may help to lay the framework to help get those players in.
