alternatehistory.com

The Milwaukee Brewers were known for their busy off-season of 1988-1989, when they seemingly blew up the team that had come within two games of the 1988 AL East title. Yet, the Brewers by, "taking a step back," ended up leaping to prominence in the major leagues, dominating in the 1990s with seven straight playoff appearances (1989-1997) and three World Series titles (1990, 1991, and 1993).

Let's review the trades:

Trade 1: Milwaukee sends LHP Ted Higuera and minor-league IF Sandy Guerrero to Atlanta for RHP John Smoltz, OF David Justice, and LHP Tom Glavine.

Trade 2: Milwaukee trades 2B Jim Gantner and minor-league 1B George Canale to Baltimore for RHP Curt Schilling and UT Bill Ripken

Trade 3: Milwaukee trades OF Rob Deer, 1B Greg Brock, and minor-league OF/1B LaVel Freeman to Texas for OF/1B Rafael Palmeiro, OF Sammy Sosa, and minor-league UT Jose Hernandez

The Brewers then extended Paul Molitor and Robin Yount through the 1995 season with the money they saved.

So, what happens if the Brewers just stood pat? Would Milwaukee have risen to its present heights, or would it have just declined the way Montreal has?
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