Phils/Cards Deal Highlights Offseason

As teams were opening their seasons, Philadelphia and St. Louis pulled off the blockbuster that eluded the entire 1969-70 offseason. Disgruntled Phillies star Dick Allen finally found a taker for his services, and well-documented baggage in the retooling Cardinals. However, the transaction created another disgruntled player as the star going the other way, outfielder Curt Flood, refused to report to the City of Brotherly Love. The deal still went down, so bad did Allen need to leave town, that his former team accepted a package of catcher Tim McCarver, outfielder Byron Browne, reliever Joe Hoerner, and a pair of minor leaguers. Philadelphia sweetened the Redbirds' side of the deal with reliever Jerry Johnson and second sacker Cookie Rojas.

Otherwise, the division swapped a few players amongst themselves and made a few minor trades and signings between leagues and with their counterpart division squads. Chicago dealt with the Phillies also, picking up outfielder Johnny Callison and a minor leaguer while sending pitcher Dick Selma and young outfielder Oscar Gamble the other way. Minor deals involved backup catcher swaps, as J.C. Martin was exchanged from the Mets for Randy Bobb. Reliever Rich Nye headed for St. Louis, while outfielder prospect Boots Day landed in the Windy City.

In the cold north, a youth movement seems afoot as the Expos dealt in fringe players. Swingmen were exchanged with the Braves as Jim Britton headed for Montreal for southpaw Larry Jaster. Joe Sparma begged his way out of Detroit, with righty reliever Jerry Robertson being the going price. Jack Hiatt was signed from San Francisco for cash considerations to handle some of the catching duties. Finally, reliever Ken Johnson was picked up as a free agent.

The Metropolitans also had a light offseason, but picked up what they hope will be some key pieces to the winning puzzle. Joe Foy was obtained to play third base, with promising young outfielder Amos Otis and Bob Johnson going to Kansas City. Pitcher Ray Sadecki and outfielder Dave Marshall were had from San Francisco for utility infielder Bob Heise and backup outfielder Jim Gosger.

Upstart Pittsburgh liked their roster so much that their only deals involved bullpen hopefuls and bench players, picking up Dennis Ribant while shipping Bo Belinsky to Cincinnati, while getting swingman Dave Giusti and catcher Dave Ricketts from the Cardinals for Carl Taylor and a minor leaguer.

Finally, St. Louis replaced Flood in center field with Jose Cardenal from Cleveland, who obtained Vada Pinson. A change of scenery for aging starters also came for George Culver from the Reds, who received Ray Washburn. Bullpen help is hopefully a result of bringing in lefty Billy McCool from the Padres for infielder Steve Huntz.