Before blogs: The Paul Konerko-Mike Cameron trade

The 1998 deal between the White Sox and Reds proved to be the perfect change of scenery for both players

While most fans would rather see their team make every trade sheer larceny, there's beauty in a trade that works out for both teams. After all, if every trade was a minefield, nobody would ever want to make them, and we should want teams to want to trade.

It's hard to find a trade more balanced than the one the White Sox and Reds struck on Nov. 11, 1998, in which the Sox sent Mike Cameron to Cincinnati in exchange for Paul Konerko. It has to rank as one of the greatest change-of-scenery swaps of all time.

Both teams had strong-but-diminished assets on their hands. The Reds had pounced on another team's disenchantment when they pried Konerko -- then 22 years old and Baseball America's No. 2 prospect -- from the Los Angeles Dodgers for 32-year-old closer Jeff Shaw. But when Konerko scuffled to start his Cincinnati career while Sean Casey looked like a good bet, the Reds used him to acquire another impact player whose organization had soured on him.

That was Cameron, who followed up a strong rookie season (.259/.356/.433, 14 homers, 23 stolen bases and strong center-field defense) with a dud. He hit .210/.285/.336 in 1998, good for a 63 OPS+, and he was going to be 26 years old next season.

Meanwhile, with Robin Ventura entering free agency, they had uncertainty at both infield corners, so acquiring a 22-year-old first baseman with

It's hard to say the trade worked out for both teams, because Cameron only lasted in Cincinnati a year before they dealt him to Seattle for Ken Griffey Jr. It's better to say the trade worked out for both players.

Before

Year	G	PA	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS+	bWAR
Konerko	81	247	48	4	0	7	29	0	1	17	42	.214	.275	.326	60	-1.2
Cameron	296	945	189	36	8	23	100	50	14	96	224	.229	.315	.376	83	5.9

After

Year	G	PA	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS+	bWAR
Konerko	2265	9248	2292	406	8	432	1383	9	3	904	1344	.281	.357	.491	120	29.5
Cameron	1659	6939	1511	347	51	255	868	247	69	771	1677	.251	.341	.453	109	40.6

Cameron has a huge edge in WAR due to his speed and Gold Glove-caliber defense in center, and had he played for the Sox in this era of analytics, they may have been loath to trade him.

On the other hand, Cameron played for seven different organizations after leaving Chicago, whereas Konerko is wrapping up the 16th and final season with the Sox. Add in the fact that Konerko led the Sox to their first World Series title, and Cameron would've probably needed to be the best player on two championship teams to change anybody's mind in Chicago.

The cool thing is that the Reds would probably make the same trade again, too. It's the Griffey trade that might warrant second-guessing, but even then, the homecoming of one of baseball's great stars would've been impossible to avoid.

Speaking of hindsight

One of the best things about researching old trades is how funny some old names, ideas and decisions sound years later. Regarding this trade ...

From the Daily Herald, Nov. 12, 1998: "Schueler hesitated to make the trade with Cincinnati, but with a surplus of young center fielders in [Jeff] Abbott, Brian Simmons and McKay Christensen, he made the move."

From the Sun-Times on the same date:

While it might seem to be a swap of disappointments, the Sox obtained protection for at least two positions.

"We're getting a young right-handed power hitter that should be able to handle some first base and third base if needed," manager Jerry Manuel said.

Konerko even could play left field if Albert Belle leaves.

From the Tribune: "Konerko would compete with 23-year-old Mario Valdez for the first baseman's job next year."

From the Daily Herald: "'Too much effort,' Konerko said from his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. 'It was my first year in the major leagues and I learned a lot, mainly that things don't always go your way.'"

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