How The 1987 Trade Altered The Detroit Tigers' Legacy

The Tigers' decision to trade a young John Smoltz for veteran Doyle Alexander helped them win a division title, but cost them a future Hall of Famer.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion and energy of a baseball pitcher, with sharp planes of color representing the key moments and decisions that shaped the Tigers' future.A cubist interpretation of the pivotal 1987 trade that altered the trajectory of the Detroit Tigers franchise.Lansing Today

In 1987, the Detroit Tigers traded promising 20-year-old pitcher John Smoltz to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for veteran Doyle Alexander, helping the Tigers win the American League East division that year. However, Smoltz went on to become an eight-time All-Star, Cy Young Award winner, and World Series champion with the Braves, while Alexander retired just two years later. The Tigers' short-term gain came at the cost of missing out on Smoltz's Hall of Fame career, which could have led to more championships for Detroit in the 1990s.

Why it matters

The 1987 trade of John Smoltz is considered one of the most lopsided deals in MLB history, as the Tigers sacrificed a future Hall of Famer to win a division title in the short term. It's a cautionary tale about the risks of trading away young talent for immediate help, and how those decisions can dramatically impact a franchise's long-term success.

The details

In 1987, the Tigers were chasing the Toronto Blue Jays for the American League East division title. In a move to bolster their pitching staff, they traded their 20-year-old 1985 draft pick John Smoltz to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for 36-year-old veteran Doyle Alexander. Alexander helped the Tigers win the division that year, going 9-0 down the stretch, but he retired just two years later in 1989. Meanwhile, Smoltz went on to become one of the greatest pitchers of his era, making 8 All-Star teams, winning the 1996 Cy Young Award, and helping the Braves win the 1995 World Series.

  • In 1984, the Detroit Tigers last won the World Series.
  • In 1985, the Tigers drafted John Smoltz out of Michigan State University.
  • In 1987, the Tigers traded the 20-year-old Smoltz to the Braves for Doyle Alexander.
  • In 1989, Doyle Alexander retired after just two seasons with the Tigers.
  • In 1995, John Smoltz helped the Braves win the World Series.

The players

John Smoltz

A promising 20-year-old pitcher drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1985 out of Michigan State University. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 1987 and went on to become an 8-time All-Star, Cy Young Award winner, and World Series champion.

Doyle Alexander

A 36-year-old veteran pitcher acquired by the Detroit Tigers in 1987 in exchange for John Smoltz. Alexander helped the Tigers win the division that year but retired just two years later in 1989.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The 1987 trade of John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander is a cautionary tale about the risks of sacrificing long-term talent for short-term gains. While the trade helped the Tigers win their division that year, it ultimately cost them the chance to build a championship contender around Smoltz in the 1990s. This decision serves as a lesson for teams to carefully weigh the future implications when making high-stakes trades.