The Worst Trade In Yankee History

In the storied history of the New York Yankees, a franchise synonymous with greatness and championships, there exists a blemish so egregious, it makes even the most ardent fans wince in collective disbelief. Enter the trade of Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps. Yes, you read that right. The Yankees traded away a future star for… well, Ken Phelps. Buckle up, because this tale of woe and incompetence is as snark-inducing as it gets.

Before donning the pinstripes, Ken Phelps was, let’s say, an “acquired taste.” With a swing that could charitably be described as “awkward” and a batting stance reminiscent of a man trying to avoid stepping on a tack, Phelps was not exactly setting the world on fire. Sure, he had some power, but his career up until joining the Yankees was a testament to mediocrity.

Ken Phelps’ pre-MLB days are often glossed over, but they’re worth noting. Phelps was always rumored to be a standout softball player, known for his prodigious power and keen eye at the plate. His powerful swing and ability to crush pitches into the stands were well documented in local leagues and drew significant attention.

However, being a great softball player and succeeding in Major League Baseball are two entirely different challenges. The transition from softball to professional baseball, especially at the highest level, is a monumental leap. While Phelps managed to parlay his softball success into a professional baseball career, his journey to MLB prominence was anything but straightforward.

Phelps spent his best years in relative obscurity with the Seattle Mariners, where his stats were modest at best. He hit for power sporadically, clubbing 51 homers in his three full seasons with the Mariners, but his batting average hovered around the .240 mark. He struck out with alarming frequency and wasn’t exactly a Gold Glove candidate at first base. To be fair, Phelps did have a decent on-base percentage, but let’s face it: you don’t trade a promising young outfielder for a “decent on-base percentage.”

And then there’s Jay Buhner. Oh, Jay Buhner. The man who would go on to haunt the Yankees for over a decade. After the trade in July 1988, Buhner took his talents to the Pacific Northwest, where he blossomed into one of the most feared sluggers of the 1990s. He became a cornerstone of the Mariners’ lineup, teaming up with Ken Griffey Jr. to form a dynamic duo that terrorized American League pitchers.

Let’s talk numbers, shall we? From 1989 to 1997, Buhner averaged 27 home runs and 82 RBIs per season, peaking in 1996 with 44 homers and 138 RBIs. He earned three consecutive Gold Gloves (1993-1995) and was an All-Star in 1996. In short, Buhner became everything the Yankees needed and more, but alas, he was smashing dingers and robbing homers for Seattle instead.

The fallout from this trade was as epic as you’d expect. George Steinbrenner, the mercurial owner of the Yankees, was livid. The trade would go on to make Steinbrenner’s blood boil like a teapot left on high heat. As the seasons passed and Buhner’s legend grew, Steinbrenner’s regret became palpable.

In a legendary moment immortalized by the TV show Seinfeld, the trade was mocked when Frank Costanza berated George Steinbrenner for trading away Jay Buhner, saying, “How could you have traded Buhner for Ken Phelps?! He had 30 home runs, over 100 RBIs last year! He’s got a rocket for an arm… you don’t know what the hell you’re doing!”

Steinbrenner, for all his bluster, likely shared Frank Costanza’s sentiment. The trade epitomized the shortsightedness and mismanagement that occasionally plagued the Yankees during Steinbrenner’s tenure. It was a stark reminder that not every move the franchise made was golden, and that even the mighty Yankees were not immune to catastrophic blunders.

The Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps trade remains a cautionary tale in the annals of baseball history. It’s a prime example of why patience and long-term vision are crucial in building a successful team. Buhner’s departure left a void in the Yankees’ lineup that was felt for years, while Phelps’ tenure in New York was a forgettable blip on the radar.

So, next time you hear about a trade that sounds too ridiculous to be true, just remember: the Yankees once traded Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps. And somewhere, George Steinbrenner is still shaking his head.

–Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor