Many moons ago over at Scout, somebody put an (uncharacteristically for the forum) excellent thread on players, who were close to being acquired by the Braves. It allowed for lots of thinking, good discussion and some fun. So, although the post season hasn't quite started, which it soon will, it didn't seem like a bad idea to give it a try here.
Ground rules: no value judgment on whether or not the player in question would have been a good fit (you have plenty of other locations for your rants). If you know about other names bandied about in return for trade, then please attempt to include those in your responses.
The most famous of all was clearly Barry Bonds. Obviously, it was multi-player deal. The names that spring immediately to mind are Andres Thomas and Keith Mitchell with at least one other player part of the package. Without verifying, my recollection is that it was so close that it was almost announced. Somebody else can fill in the details as to whether Jim Leyland or Pirates ownership put the 11th hour brakes on the deal.
Have mentioned this a few times before but there were 2 appealing options for Dale Murphy. The Padres had Benito Santiago coming up, which made them eager to unload Sandy Alomar Jr. They offered him with future HOF brother, Roberto, and John Kruk. Not sure what exactly deterred Bobby Cox, other than the lack of "young pitching," but that was a hang-up in another very real trade possibility with the Mets. The Mets were set to offer Howard Johnson, Lenny Dykstra and Rick Aguilera. The Braves had very definite needs at 3B, CF and closer, although it's not believed that the Mets had used Aguilera in that role as he was later quite effectively with the Twins. Cox insisted on David West (the name actually meant something at the time) instead of Aguilera.
During the same time frame, Expos OFs Andre Dawson and Tim Raines offered their services as free agents. They were rebuffed during the high holy days of collusion. Dawson went on to win NL MVP for last place Cubs that year.
One free agent signing was rumored quite frequently, during a period when newspapers, radio and TV were the only sources was LH White Sox starter, Britt Burns. He came from Alabama. This confirms that southeastern priority on talent was not a recent phenomenon. He ended up pitching his entire brief career in Chicago.
More recently, another Bama boy, Jake Peavy, hit a crescendo. Rumors had been loud for years. Will again defer to others on the exact details. Was it that he didn't want Yunel Escobar traded for him or that he was concerned with overall team budget?
We mustn't forget the nearly consummated re-acquisition of Rafael Furcal and the fallout.
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Originally Posted by chop2chip
