Revisiting the Braves-Tigers Trade That Sent Hall of Famer John Smoltz to Atlanta

In basically any other scenario, the Tigers trade with the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Doyle Alexander during a pennant race would've been chalked up as a clear win for Detroit. The Tigers made the ALCS that year, losing out to the Minnesota Twins in five games. Despite the disappointing end result, Alexander pitched well in MoTown, notching a 9-0 record and an ERA under two in '87.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, a little-known former 22nd round draft pick named John Smoltz was sent back to Atlanta.

Smoltz had been selected straight out of a high school in Michigan just two years prior. He was a relatively unknown prospect, but the Braves clearly knew something about him the Tigers didn't, and were willing to give up a solid, MLB-proven starter to get him.

The fear of dealing pitching prospects in today's market is often attributed to the horror stories like the Tigers have with Smoltz. For 2.5 productive seasons from Alexander, Detroit watched Smoltz win a Cy Young and become a franchise icon in Atlanta as both a starter and closer. It's unfair and an anomaly, but remains one of the biggest steals of a trade in MLB history, despite the above-average results from Alexander.

Make no mistake about it: the Braves won this trade in a landslide. But to fault the Tigers for dealing an (at that point) unknown minor leaguer for Alexander is shortsighted.

The Braves superior scouting deserves all the credit in the world.