The Houston Astros won their first NL Central division title in 1997, but they weren’t satisfied. After getting swept out of the NLDS, GM Gerry Hunsicker took advantage of the World Champion Florida Marlins’ fire sale, trading for All-Star outfielder Moises Alou.
On Nov. 11, 1997, the Astros acquired Alou for pitchers Manuel Barrios and Oscar Henriquez and a player to be named later, who turned out to be pitcher Mark Johnson. The Marlins traded away the likes of Alou, Kevin Brown, Robb Nen, Al Leiter, Jeff Conine and Devon White that offseason.