1998 Headline: Blockbuster Trade Sends Mike Piazza To The Marlins!!!
In 1998, the term ‘fire-sale’ and the Florida Marlins were linked like peanut butter and jelly. Coming off of a World Series championship the prior season, the Marlins management team was dumping all of the players and salaries that took them to the pinnacle just a few months prior.
And on this day in 1998, the Marlins made a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mike Piazza was traded by the Dodgers with Todd Ziele for Manuel Barrios, Bobby Bonilla, Jim Eisenriech, Charles Johnson, and Gary Sheffield.
Piazza’s stay in Miami was short-lived as he was dealt just 8 days later to the New York Mets.
Piazza’s time as a Marlins’ player included 5 games in which he tallied 5 hits and 5 RBI in 18 at-bats.
A lot of big names involved, but seems like the Marlins got hoodwinked on both trades. It was a salary dump trade more than anything.
Preston Wilson isn’t a hoodwink, and the other Minor Leaguer they got- Ed Yarnall I believe- ended up being traded for Mike Lowell.
Lowell Eventually became Ramirez and A.Sanchez too.
CJ was with the Orioles the next year, Bonilla was a Met, and Eisenrich retired. Sheff was the only remaining piece after 1998.
Sad to say, but I think the Fish won the trade.
BTW- if anyone has ANY Piazza Marlins Memoribillia, contact me at bounceoffdawallz at the place named hot mail com