Birds Watcher
Fansided

Baltimore Orioles: Ten Trades We Wish Were April Fools’ Jokes

By Nick Stevens

25 Jun 1998: Steve Finley #12 of the San Diego Padres looks on during an interleague game against the Seattle Mariners at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Mariners 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
25 Jun 1998: Steve Finley #12 of the San Diego Padres looks on during an interleague game against the Seattle Mariners at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Mariners 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
Baltimore Orioles
2 Mar 1998: Coach Eddie Murray of the Baltimore Orioles watches the action during a spring training game against the Montreal Expos at Fort Lauderdale Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Orioles defeated the Expos 11-9. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /

Eddie Murray gets sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a four-player deal.

Eddie Murray began his career with 12 seasons as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, winning the 1977 Rookie of the Year Award, three Gold Glove Awards, and was named to seven All-Star teams. He hit at least 25 home runs and 25 doubles with a .300 batting average four times and finished his O’s career with a .294 average and 343 home runs (including his return for one season in 1996).

At the time, Murray was earning more than $2 million per year and the Orioles were hoping to unload Murray’s contract while adding young talent to the roster to spark a bit of youthful energy into the organization.

The move didn’t exactly work in favor of the Orioles. Baltimore sent Murray out west to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for 20-year-old shortstop prospect Juan Bell and veteran pitchers Ken Howell and Brian Holton. Howell was shipped to the Seattle Mariners a few days later for outfielder Phil Bradley who put up a 2.9 bWAR season for the Orioles, his final full season in the big leagues.

Holton would go on to make 72 appearances for the Orioles, recording a 4.18 ERA and 1.54 WHIP while walking nearly as many hitters as he struck out (78 K, 60 BB).

As for the young prospect Bell, he never panned out in Baltimore and eventually bounced around between Phillies, Red Sox, Expos, and Brewers, hitting .212 in 940 career plate appearances. As an Oriole, Bell played one full season, hitting .172 with a .201 OBP in 100 games back in 1991.

Home/Orioles All-Time Lists