MLB History: Ten Most Lopsided Trades of All Time
By David Hill
9. Detroit Tigers trade John Smoltz to the Atlanta Braves for Doyle Alexander – August 12, 1987
In 1987, the Detroit Tigers were looking to make a push towards the postseason, as they sought their second World Series title of the decade. Their starting rotation was solid, with Jack Morris and Frank Tanana helping to lead the way, but the back end of their staff had struggled. Dan Petry and Jeff Robinson were getting battered on a regular basis, hindering the Tigers push to the postseason.
With that being the case, they acquired Doyle Alexander, a pitcher best known for his surly attitude, from the Atlanta Braves. Alexander had struggled in Atlanta, with a 5-10 record and a 4.15 ERA, but he was a revelation for Detroit. He dominated down the stretch, posting a 9-0 record with a 1.53 ERA and a 1.008 WHiP, numbers that led to a fourth place finish in the AL Cy Young award vote and a 13th place finish on the MVP ballot, despite pitching in the league for less than two months.
In exchange, the Braves received a minor league pitcher who post a cumulative 5.73 ERA and a 1.644 WHiP in 1987. That pitcher – John Smoltz. The following year, Smoltz would harness his stuff, dominating AAA before making his Major League debut at age 21.
While Alexander would remain in Detroit until his retirement after the 1989 season, Smoltz was a mainstay in Atlanta. An All Star in his second season in 1989, Smoltz would make nine All Star Games in total, including two as a closer. He won the Cy Young award in 1996, and became one of the few pitchers in Major League history to lead the league in wins and saves at some point in his career. His stellar performances, both as a starter and reliever, led to his induction in Cooperstown in 2015.
Not a bad haul for a player that the Braves had signed as a free agent only three months before.
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