Fifteen years ago this week, the Royals did a bad, bad thing. It might not be the worst trade in franchise history, but it has to be on the short list. The team dealt their best player, outfielder Johnny Damon, to Oakland in a three-team trade that brought back closer Roberto Hernandez, catcher A.J. Hinch, and shortstop prospect Angel Berroa.
Why would general manager Allard Baird, still in his first year on the job, do such a thing? Well, in retrospect, there are a few viable reasons.