A Real Good Acquisition

[Max Power]

I was thinking about the "trade" (sale) of Babe Ruth to the Yankees the other way. It's pretty safe to say that worked out OK for the Yankees.

But, then I thought, what other player "acquistion" (trade or Free Agent signing) netted a player for the Yankees who went on to have a long and very good career for the Yankees?

Not many, really. Again, LONG and VERY GOOD Yankee career.

Paul O'Neill, Willie Randolph, Graig Nettles, and Red Ruffing. That's not a lot, for a team that's been around a 100 years.

Anyone else that I missed thinking quickly on it?

What about your fav team?

Anyone that your guys acquired that went on to a long and good career FOR YOUR TEAM?

It doesn't seem to happen as much as one would think - I think.

[Rajah]

Assuming an acquisition is any way a player comes over from another organization, I'd have to say there have been at least 2 I can think of right off the bat. Greg Maddux and John Smoltz(of course he was still in the minors at the time) for my Braves. Jeff Bagwell worked out ok for the Astros. Ryne Sandberg, Rick Sutcliffe, and Sammy Sosa were decent acquisitions for the Cubs, and Ozzie Smith and Lou Brock did some things with the Cardinals. The White Sox have done well with Carlton Fisk and Paul Konerko (assuming he continues to do well in a Sox uni). Eckersley did some things in an A's uniform. I guess it also kind of depends on what you define as "long." Gary Carter worked out well for the Mets. Joe Morgan had a good career with the Reds. I'm going to stop now, as I'm running out of understatement phrases. But for all these examples, there are only a few per team, and I'm not going back far in history. It'll require some more thought to come up with others.

[Max Power]

Rick Sutcliffe had a long and good career with the Cubs?

Did I miss something?

BTW, I would define long as 5000+ PA or 300+ GS or 500+ relief appearances.

[JamesI]

Thanks for the definition. That eliminated the best trade ever from my list.


Brady Anderson got traded for Mike Boddicker, Anderson had a pretty good run (although fluky with 96).

Ken Singleton was good after his pickup from Montreal.

Rick Dempsey wasn't great, but he did win a world series MVP.

Scott McGreger was picked up in a trade with the Yankees.

Tippy Martinez and Mike Cuellar both just miss your definition of long (1 game by Martinez, about 8 games by Cuellar)

These were all picked up in trades. Free agents is another story. Couldn't find a single qualifier.

[WiredTiger]

The Tigers have had mostly home grown stars and they haven't been big winners in the free agency era.


Wahoo Sam Crawford had a HOF career after being awarded to the Tigers in a contract dispute.

Chet Lemon almost makes the cut but falls a few hundrend plate appearances short. He came over in a trade and was an integral part of one World Series and another divison title.

Wild Bill Donovan had his best seasons with the Tigers after playing with Brooklyn and Washington.

[SmedIndy]

Ryne Sandberg and Sammy Sosa for sure for the Cubs.

Buckner gave the Cubs 3,288 at bats.

Fergie Jenkins was acquired in a trade with the Phillies.

Charlie Root was originally at St. Louis Brown.

Three Finger Brown and Hippo Vaughn weren't as long as Max wants, but they still started elsewhere.

Ned Williamson was acquired after the Indianapolis Hoosiers died in 1878. Same with Abner Dalrymple after the original Milwaukee Brewers died that same year.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
Buckner gave the Cubs 3,288 at bats.

Billy had three decent years in his time in Chicago. He can't make the list.

[Ytown Tribe fan]

Getting Tris Speaker for Sam Jones and a bag of money was pretty good for the Tribe. This was the big trade BEFORE the Curse.

Sam had some good years with Boston ... and he helped them in the WS .. but really, this was a steal.

[KCBOOMER]

How about the Pirates drafting Roberto Clemente out of the Dodgers organization.

Royals fans are really partial to getting Amos Otis for Joe Foy. Other trades with the Mets weren't near as good.

[Jim Rice]

I can only think of Cy Young who qualifies for the Red Sox. Luis Tiant fell short. Pedro and Lowe both appear to be well on their way.

On the other hand, I can't think of many teams that gave away more guys who went on to distinguished careers elsewhere. Ruth, Speaker, Bagwell, Cecil Cooper, Carlton Fisk, Curt Schilling (almost qualified as a Phil, though the Sox dealt him to Baltimore), Waite Hoyt and Herb Pennock (both fall just shy as Yanks, but I've got to include HOFers here), and solid players like Sparky Lyle, Brady Anderson and Ben Oglivie. Tony Armas Jr. is shaping up nicely in Montreal. Fred Lynn and Reggie Smith should probably be mentioned as well, though they didn't stay with just one team after leaving Boston. Same with some guy named Clemens. A rather stellar cast.

[TimmyB]

JR did a fine job above tallying the damage for the Olde Towne Team... and I can't think of any additions to that Hall of GM-Shame.

Jackie Jensen could have been one for the good if he'd played longer.

I can never think of this discussion without thinking of Lou Brock.

[LeGrandOrange]

The only name a Mariner fan needs to say in a post like this is Randy Johnson. He's now borderlining on becoming the best left hander ever and all because we got him in a trade for Langston.

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by Max Power
Billy had three decent years in his time in Chicago. He can't make the list.

Just my list of fond memories in my teenage years, I guess...

I would say the acquiring Eddie Collins worked out well for the Sox, although he was a pretty fair second baseman with the A's.

[LeGrandOrange]

You know, now that I'm reminded, Allie Reynolds was a pretty good pickup by the Yankees. That's probably one you missed.