Cleveland has acquired 3B Chris Johnson for 1B/OF Nick Swisher, OF Michael Bourn, and cash.
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Johnson is owed $19 million through 2017 and has been used a platoon player this season.
For now, Johnson could be the starting DH, but in the future, he could be used even less often in a more Ryan Raburnesque role as right handed pinch hitter and utility man. This could be particularly useful in conjunction with Santana or Lonnie Chisenhall, who have had major issues against left handed pitching this year. In fact, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that the Braves will send over $10 million to Atlanta.
The Giants placed Leake on the 15-day disabled list and recalled left-hander Josh Osich from Triple-A Sacramento. He underwent offseason surgery on both knees, appearing in only 30 games this year and batting.
The 34-year-old Swisher, another former All-Star, is batting just. The third baseman has hit only.235/.272/.320 in 56 games for the Braves this season, losing playing time to Juan Uribe and Adonis Garcia. In 2015, he is hitting just.
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Swisher and Bourn are owed a combined $29 million in 2016, and will both become free agents after that (unless the Braves somehow let either of them reach 550 PA next year). (That’s three in 15 days, each dispensing with someone named Johnson.) This one was even more exotic, seeing as how the three included players had to clear waivers. 235 with two home runs and eleven runs batted in. That line translates to a 67 OPS+, the seventh-lowest mark among players with 500 or more total plate appearances over the last two seasons. Johnson’s contract is also one year longer than either Bourn or Swisher’s. He has a $1 million buy-out on a $10 million 2018 option. Though it’s a little rough around the edges here in Atlanta at the moment, John Hart is building something special and I’m glad you guys are a part of it. Go Braves! In return, they get a younger player who can play multiple positions for them for the remainder of this season and 2016. The Indians probably just wanted to get rid of some poor contracts no matter what the cost. He’s due to make $14 million next season, which would make this deal a near-wash, if it weren’t for the inclusion of …
