Five Defining Deadline Deals By The Braves

John Smoltz from the Detroit Tigers for Doyle Alexander, August 12, 1987 Every Braves fan knows the story. The Braves got a 20-year-old Smoltz from the Tigers for the 36-year-old Alexander. Alexander went on to help Detroit win their division. He went 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA over the final month and a half of the season. Alexander's postseason numbers were not nearly as successful. He went 0-5 with an 8.38 ERA. Alexander would never really again meet those lofty marks. Meanwhile, Smoltz went on to become one of the faces of the most dominant team in the National League for 15 years. Smoltz amassed a record of 210-147 for the Braves. He posted a career ERA of 3.26 and 3,011 strikeouts in Atlanta. Smoltz also posted 154 saves with a brief conversion to closer following multiple injuries. During his brief three seasons as a full-time closer, Smoltz managed to set the National Leagues season saves record with 55 in 2002 (Eric Gagne tied the record in 2003). Smoltz pitched for the Braves...