The expansion draft starts with several transactions.

This Day In Baseball

On November 18, 1997 — The expansion draft starts with several transactions.

Two pitchers who appeared in the World Series a month earlier, Tony Saunders (Florida Marlins) and Brian Anderson (Cleveland Indians), are the first players taken. Saunders, the first player chosen overall, heads a list of new Tampa Bay Devil Rays team members that includes Quinton McCracken, Bubba Trammell, Albie López and Terrell Wade. Tampa Bay also obtains John Flaherty from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Brian Boehringer and Andy Sheets; Kevin Stocker from the Philadelphia Phillies for Bobby Abreu; Fred McGriff from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for a player to be named, and signs free agent P Roberto Hernández.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, meanwhile, who signed free agent Jay Bell to a five-year contract yesterday, select Jeff Suppan, Jorge Fabregas and Karim Garcia, and acquire Travis Fryman from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Joe Randa, Gabe Alvarez and Matt Drews]. They also obtain Devon White from the Florida Marlins for Jesus Martinez.