In one of the biggest player Swaps in history the Astros and Padres swap 15 players

ByThis Day in Baseball

1994 – In one of the biggest player swaps in baseball history, the Astros send infielders Ken Caminiti, Andujar Cedeno and Roberto Petagine, outfielder Steve Finley and pitchers Brian Williams and Sean Fesh to San Diego for infielders Craig Shipley and Ricky Gutierrez, outfielders Derek Bell and Phil Plantier and pitchers Doug Brocail and Pedro Martinez. It’s a thinly-disguised salary dump and, were it not for Bell’s success, would have been regarded as one of the worst trades in club history. Caminiti and Finley blossom into All-Stars who lead the Padres to the N.L. title in 1998. Bell and Gutierrez are the only salvagable parts for the Astros and they are both gone after the 1999 season. 

1994 – The Chiba Lotte Marines of the Pacific League announce that Julio Franco, Pete Incaviglia and Eric Hillman have been signed to contracts. Incaviglia and Hillman will play for their countryman Bobby Valentine, who in 2005 will become the first foreign manager to win the Japan Series.

ByTom

1994 – The Chiba Lotte Marines of the Pacific League announce that Julio Franco, Pete Incaviglia and Eric Hillman have been signed to contracts. Incaviglia and Hillman will play for their countryman Bobby Valentine, who in 2005 will become the first foreign manager to win the Japan Series.

1994 – With negotiations to resolve the strike at a standstill, Major League owners unilaterally implement a salary cap and revenue sharing on striking players.

ByTom

1994 – With negotiations to resolve the strike at a standstill, Major League owners unilaterally implement a salary cap and revenue sharing on striking players.

The Giants trade pitcher John Burkett to the Texas Rangers in exchange for minor league infielders Desi Wilson and Rich Aurilia. The latter will spend nine years in his first tenure in San Francisco, becoming an important offensive cog in the team’s everyday lineup.

ByTom

The Giants trade pitcher John Burkett to the Texas Rangers in exchange for minor league infielders Desi Wilson and Rich Aurilia. The latter will spend nine years in his first tenure in San Francisco, becoming an important offensive cog in the team’s everyday lineup.

The owners approve a salary cap plan by a vote of 25-3, but agree to delay implementing it so that another round of talks with the players can be held as the strike remains unresolved.

ByTom

The owners approve a salary cap plan by a vote of 25-3, but agree to delay implementing it so that another round of talks with the players can be held as the strike remains unresolved.

The New York Yankees obtain pitcher Jack McDowell from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league P Keith Heberling and a player to be named later (Lyle Mouton).

ByTom

The New York Yankees obtain pitcher Jack McDowell from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league P Keith Heberling and a player to be named later (Lyle Mouton).