Cobb Reporter

More than 30 years later, the deal for John Smoltz is still widely seen as the biggest in Atlanta Braves' history. 

According to MLB's list of 10 biggest trades in Braves' history, on Aug. 12, 1987, Atlanta acquired Double AA prospect Smoltz from Detroit for veteran righthander Doyle Alexander. Alexander posted a 1.53 ERA and for the Tigers and won all 11 of the games he started for the rest of the season.

Smoltz would go on to win the National League Cy Young Award in 1996 and earned eight All-Star selections. He remains the only player that was present for all 14 of Atlanta's consecutive division title runs.

"While Detroit gained an American League East title from the deal, Atlanta gained a Hall of Fame pitcher, who produced the seventh-highest Baseball Reference WAR (69.6) in franchise history," the team said on its website. 

Second on the list was the July 18, 1993 deal when the Braves gave up Vince Moore,  Donnie Elliott and Melvin Nieves for first baseman Fred McGriff from the Padres.

McGriff would help the Atlanta go on to 52-18 and was on the roster for the third of the Braves' 14 consecutive division titles. He would also help the Braves win the 1995 World Series, earning three All-Star selections out of four seasons.

"While Moore never advanced past the Double-A level, Elliott totaled 31 appearances for San Diego and spent the rest of his career in the Minors. Nieves' two most productive Major League seasons occurred immediately after the Padres traded him to the Tigers before the 1996 campaign," the team said on its website.