Tom Seaver's departure from the New York Mets in 1984 was not a traditional trade but rather a result of his selection by the Chicago White Sox in a free agent compensation pool. This occurred because the Mets' then-General Manager, Frank Cashen, made the crucial decision not to protect Seaver.
Understanding Seaver's Departure from the Mets
On January 20, 1984, Tom Seaver, a revered figure in Mets history, left the team under specific circumstances related to Major League Baseball's player movement rules at the time.
The key factors leading to his move were:
- Free Agent Compensation Pool: In that era, a mechanism existed where teams could select unprotected players from a "free agent compensation pool." This system was intended to help teams recoup value when they lost key players to free agency.
- General Manager's Decision: Frank Cashen, who was the General Manager for the New York Mets, chose not to protect Tom Seaver. Despite Seaver being slated as the team's Opening Day pitcher for the upcoming 1984 season, this decision left him vulnerable to being claimed by other clubs.
- Chicago White Sox Selection: Consequently, the Chicago White Sox utilized this opportunity and selected Tom Seaver from the compensation pool, effectively ending his second tenure with the Mets.
This event is often remembered as a significant and unfortunate chapter in the Mets' history, marking the exit of one of their most iconic players due to strategic non-protection rather than a direct player-for-player trade.
