Reader Challenge: Plying the Trades

Tuesday, May 23 2006 @ 11:17 PM EDT

Here's an interesting thought experiment ...

What ballplayer has been traded the most times for the most All-Star or All-Star caliber players? We're not necesarily talking about individual lopsided deals here, or even blockbusters; just guys who have been dealt a number of times for a number of recognizable names. No doubt the gentle readers of Batter's Box will have a number of nominees, but let's start with the guy who prompted the idea for me while hitting against the Braves on TBS (Mike Cameron) and the daddy of baseball's current headliner, the most vagabond of all All-Stars ever (Bobby Bonds).

Oh, and a couple of, not "rules," really, but for the purposes of this thread, "parameters" ...

1. Players mentioned must have been involved in more than one transaction of note, not just one huge Von Hayes-ian 1-for-5 blockbuster;
2. Players who were acquired as bit parts to a trade and then developed into a Huge Freaking Star will be considered at their "star" level.

MIKE CAMERON

• Traded by White Sox to Reds for 40-homer corner infielder Paul Konerko;
• Traded by Reds to Mariners as part of package for Hall of Fame OF Ken Griffey Jr.
• Traded by Mets to Padres for blossoming young OF Xavier Nady

BOBBY BONDS

• Traded by the Giants to the Yankees for All-Star OF Bobby Murcer;
• Traded by the Yankees to the Angels for future All-Star OF Mickey Rivers and future 20-game winner Ed Figueroa;
• Traded by the Angels to the White Sox as part of a deal for All-Star C Brian Downing, future 14-game winner Chris Knapp and future 16-game winner Dave Frost;
• Traded by the White Sox to the Rangers for All-Star OF Claudell Washington and another player;
• Traded by Rangers to Indians as part of deal for for future AL Rolaids Relief winner Jim Kern and another player;
• Traded by Indians to Cardinals for future All-Star OF Jerry Mumphrey and future NL Cy Young winner John Denny.

16 comments

https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20060523231742250