Detroit Tigers: Eyebrow-Raising Transactions #10-1

2. Travis Fryman

This trade was conducted at the wrong time and with the wrong player. He played with the Tigers from 1990 to 1997, earning four trips to the All-Star Game and a Silver Slugger award. Then 1998 rolled around and all of the sudden Fryman was sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he never played with them. In exchange for Fryman, the Tigers received Matt Drews, Gabe Alvarez, and Joe Randa.

Just a few weeks after his trade to Arizona, he was sent to the Cleveland Indians, where he finished his career.  He did not want to leave Detroit; he wanted to be a lifer. But, that was not in the cards for Fryman.

When he was traded to the Indians, they were one of the top teams in baseball. He flourished there hitting 28 home runs in his first year and earning some nods for the MVP award. He played in four post-season tournaments with the Indians, but not one with the Tigers. He retired an Indian and remained with the team as a minor league coach.

He was a top player, but did not get the credit he deserved because of the bad trade that still leaves a bitter taste.

Next: There Goes Another Hall-of-Famer