Braves Country knows this much: championship windows don’t open without bold trades. While the organization is famous for developing homegrown stars, its history is also shaped by front office moves that changed everything.
From a teenager named John Smoltz to a modern-day slugger in Matt Olson, these are the five greatest trades in Atlanta Braves history.
1. John Smoltz For Doyle Alexander (1987)
It’s the trade that redefined two franchises. In July 1987, the Tigers sent a 20-year-old John Smoltz to Atlanta for veteran Doyle Alexander.
Alexander went 9–0 down the stretch for Detroit, but that short-term jolt came at the cost of a Hall of Fame career. Smoltz became a Cy Young winner, a 3,000-strikeout ace, and a key part of the Braves’ 1990s dynasty.
This deal is often cited as one of the greatest heists in MLB history — and the single most impactful trade in Braves history.
2. Fred McGriff From Padres (1993)
The Braves were trailing the Giants in the NL West when they pulled off a trade for first baseman Fred McGriff in July 1993. Two days later, McGriff homered in his Atlanta debut, sparking a run that became legendary.
McGriff hit .310 with 19 home runs in just 68 games that season, fueling Atlanta’s charge to the postseason. Over five years with the Braves, he hit 130 homers and provided the middle-of-the-order presence the team needed to dominate.
The “Crime Dog” was the missing piece for multiple pennant runs — and a symbol of John Schuerholz’s aggressive front office.
3. Gary Sheffield From Dodgers (2002)
Looking to add firepower, the Braves sent Brian Jordan, Odalis Pérez, and Andrew Brown to the Dodgers in January 2002 for slugger Gary Sheffield.
The payoff was immediate. Sheffield hit .319 with 64 home runs across two seasons in Atlanta, delivering some of the best offensive production of his career. While his Braves tenure was short, it gave Atlanta the lineup balance needed in the early 2000s.
A classic “win-now” move that worked.
4. Matt Olson From Athletics (2022)
When Freddie Freeman’s time in Atlanta came to an end, GM Alex Anthopoulos wasted no time. In March 2022, the Braves traded a four-player package to Oakland for Matt Olson, then signed him to an eight-year extension.
Olson quickly justified the gamble. By 2023, he had set the franchise single-season home run record with 54 and drove in 139 runs. At 27 years old when acquired, he gave Atlanta both elite production and long-term stability at first base.
This deal was more than a replacement — it was a reset that ensured the Braves stayed a contender.
5. Tim Hudson From Athletics (2004)
The Braves dipped back into Oakland’s rotation well in December 2004, acquiring Tim Hudson for Charles Thomas, Dan Meyer, and Juan Cruz.
Hudson went on to anchor the Braves’ rotation for nine seasons, posting a 113–72 record with a 3.56 ERA. He was a three-time All-Star in Atlanta and became one of the most reliable pitchers of his generation.
The cost was minimal compared to the impact — a frontline starter who gave the Braves nearly a decade of stability.
What Braves Country Should Remember
From dynasty builders like John Smoltz and Fred McGriff to modern power like Matt Olson, these trades prove how front-office vision can reshape a franchise.
The Braves’ legacy isn’t just about homegrown talent — it’s also about knowing when to strike big on the trade market.
