The Cleveland Indians sent big name, or should I say expensive name players Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Chris Johnson. The Indians also sent cash considerations to the Braves to help cover the contracts of those disappointing players, Bourne hitting .246 with only 13 stolen bases and Swisher batting .198 with only eight RBIs. Like Bourn and Swisher, after signing a good size contract Chris Johnson has also had an off year batting .235 with 11 RBIs. 32 year-old Michael Bourn is a former All-Star member of the Atlanta Braves, as he is making $13.5 million this season and is owed another $14 million before his option year of $12 million in 2017. Swisher is another former All-Star, the 34 year-old is making $15 million both this season and the next before his $14 million option season. Both Bourn and Swisher were big pieces to the Indians success on making the playoffs in 2013, but due to injury and lack of production Cleveland has decided to part ways looking to open up salary cap space. 30 year-old Chris Johnson signed a big deal after his 2013 season, batting .321 but lost his starter position over this season. He is still owed $6.5 million for this season, $7 million for next year, $9 million for the 2017 season including a $10 million option in 2018 with $1 million buyout. In reality, these are two teams that had bad seasons just tossing a few of their biggest frustrations to each other. I believe the Indians got the better deal out of this, though Johnson is signed longer, he does not cost nearly as much and is younger with better potential for a turn around year. Swisher did have surgery on his knees, so he may produce better numbers now that he claims to be getting his feeling back, but both him and I am sure welcomed back Bourn will need to be affective if they want to have any success next season.
Like Atlanta, the Texas Rangers acquired a former player from the Boston Red Sox. Mike Napoli cleared waivers and then was dealt to Texas for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Napoli has been a big power bat since becoming a normal starter in 2009, as he spent two seasons with the Rangers totaling 56 homeruns. Napoli was also a big factor in the Red Sox World Series victory in 2013, the 33 year-old catcher/first baseman is coming to the end of his $32 million deal that he signed with the Red Sox when he decided to depart with the Rangers. Due to toe, finger, back, and knee issues, Napoli has had a hard time over the last two seasons and his numbers have shown for it as he is currently hitting .207. Texas is 54-54 but only 3 1/2 games back from a playoff spot, as they look to Napoli as the right handed power bat they are missing. Now back in playoff potential, we will see if Napoli can use the momentum to step up his game up while Boston will likely look to depart with many more pieces to their off season.
The Cleveland Indians sent big name, or should I say expensive name players Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Chris Johnson. The Indians also sent cash considerations to the Braves to help cover the contracts of those disappointing players, Bourne hitting .246 with only 13 stolen bases and Swisher batting .198 with only eight RBIs. Like Bourn and Swisher, after signing a good size contract Chris Johnson has also had an off year batting .235 with 11 RBIs. 32 year-old Michael Bourn is a former All-Star member of the Atlanta Braves, as he is making $13.5 million this season and is owed another $14 million before his option year of $12 million in 2017. Swisher is another former All-Star, the 34 year-old is making $15 million both this season and the next before his $14 million option season. Both Bourn and Swisher were big pieces to the Indians success on making the playoffs in 2013, but due to injury and lack of production Cleveland has decided to part ways looking to open up salary cap space. 30 year-old Chris Johnson signed a big deal after his 2013 season, batting .321 but lost his starter position over this season. He is still owed $6.5 million for this season, $7 million for next year, $9 million for the 2017 season including a $10 million option in 2018 with $1 million buyout. In reality, these are two teams that had bad seasons just tossing a few of their biggest frustrations to each other. I believe the Indians got the better deal out of this, though Johnson is signed longer, he does not cost nearly as much and is younger with better potential for a turn around year. Swisher did have surgery on his knees, so he may produce better numbers now that he claims to be getting his feeling back, but both him and I am sure welcomed back Bourn will need to be affective if they want to have any success next season. 
Like Atlanta, the Texas Rangers acquired a former player from the Boston Red Sox. Mike Napoli cleared waivers and then was dealt to Texas for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Napoli has been a big power bat since becoming a normal starter in 2009, as he spent two seasons with the Rangers totaling 56 homeruns. Napoli was also a big factor in the Red Sox World Series victory in 2013, the 33 year-old catcher/first baseman is coming to the end of his $32 million deal that he signed with the Red Sox when he decided to depart with the Rangers. Due to toe, finger, back, and knee issues, Napoli has had a hard time over the last two seasons and his numbers have shown for it as he is currently hitting .207. Texas is 54-54 but only 3 1/2 games back from a playoff spot, as they look to Napoli as the right handed power bat they are missing. Now back in playoff potential, we will see if Napoli can use the momentum to step up his game up while Boston will likely look to depart with many more pieces to their off season.
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