1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft

Selection of players by the Rays and Diamondbacks August 2023 1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft 1997 MLB expansion draft logo.png The logo for the 1997 MLB expansion draft Baseball November 18, 1997 Phoenix Civic Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona ESPNThe first two hours of the draft were broadcast on ESPN, followed by four hours on ESPN2.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-expansive-coverage/186237611/ Expansive coverage The Baltimore Sun 2D November 18, 1997 December 5, 2025 newspapers.com Major League BaseballWhile the National League and American League are commonly referred to collectively as Major League Baseball, across many decades, Major League Baseball has only existed as a legal entity since 2000.https://sabr.org/journal/article/did-mlb-exist-before-the-year-2000/ Did MLB Exist Before the Year 2000? Bill Nowlin Society for American Baseball Research December 2, 2025 Arizona DiamondbacksTampa Bay Devil Rays 1998 Tony Saunders (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) 70 1992 The 1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft was held on November 18, 1997, at the Phoenix Civic Plaza in Phoenix, Arizona.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-party-on-draft-day/186161593/ Party on draft day to have a glittering guest list Jim Gintonio The Arizona Republic C10 November 16, 1997 December 3, 2025 newspapers.com The expansion draft allowed two expansion teams in Major League Baseball (MLB)—the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil RaysThe Tampa Bay Devil Rays were renamed as the Tampa Bay Rays prior to the 2008 season.—to build their rosters prior to their inaugural seasons. Both teams subsequently began play in the 1998 season, increasing the size of the National League from 14 to 16 teams (Milwaukee switched to the National League to ensure an even number of teams remained in each league). Arizona was placed in the National League West division and Tampa Bay was played in the American League East division. This remains the most recent expansion draft conducted by MLB. Background 1998 Major League Baseball expansion USA 300 1998 MLB Expansion Teams USA 33.45 -112.07 Black pog.svg 80 right Diamondbacks USA 27.77 -82.65 Black pog.svg 80 right Devil Rays Following the success of the 1993 expansion, which added the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins, Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1994 set up an expansion committee to add two expansion teams.Richard Justice https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72228611.html?dids=72228611:72228611&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+03%2C+1994&author=Richard+Justice&pub=The+Washington+Post+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Baseball+Eyes+Addition+Of+Its+29th%2C+30th+Teams&pqatl=google https://archive.today/20130201062647/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72228611.html?dids=72228611:72228611&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+03,+1994&author=Richard+Justice&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Baseball+Eyes+Addition+Of+Its+29th,+30th+Teams&pqatl=google dead February 1, 2013 Baseball eyes addition of its 29th, 30th teams The Washington Post D1 March 3, 1994 October 19, 2011 The Tampa Bay area in Florida and the city of Phoenix, Arizona, were chosen for the two expansion franchises.Eric Lipton Mark Maske Virginia gets no promise - Locals eye existing teams - Tampa, Phoenix get new ones The Washington Post https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/19518385.html?dids=19518385:19518385&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+10%2C+1995&author=Eric+Lipton%3B+Mark+Maske&pub=The+Washington+Post+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Virginia+Gets+No+Promise%3B+Locals+Eye+Existing+Teams%3B+Tampa%2C+Phoenix+Get+New+Ones&pqatl=google https://archive.today/20121228225311/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/19518385.html?dids=19518385:19518385&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+10,+1995&author=Eric+Lipton;+Mark+Maske&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Virginia+Gets+No+Promise;+Locals+Eye+Existing+Teams;+Tampa,+Phoenix+Get+New+Ones&pqatl=google dead December 28, 2012 F1 March 10, 1995 October 19, 2011 Procedures Similar to the 1992 expansion draft, both expansion teams selected 35 players.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/22774068.html?dids=22774068:22774068&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+17%2C+1996&author=MARC+TOPKIN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=Expansion+team+feels+another+draft+coming+Series%3A+DEVIL+RAYS+REPORT%3B+COUNTDOWN+to+OPENING+DAY%3A+505+days&pqatl=google https://archive.today/20130131155221/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/22774068.html?dids=22774068:22774068&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+17,+1996&author=MARC+TOPKIN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=Expansion+team+feels+another+draft+coming+Series:+DEVIL+RAYS+REPORT;+COUNTDOWN+to+OPENING+DAY:+505+days&pqatl=google dead January 31, 2013 Expansion team feels another draft coming Series: DEVIL RAYS REPORT; COUNTDOWN to OPENING DAY: 505 days Pqasb.pqarchiver.com November 16, 1996 October 19, 2011 Marc Topkin The draft was divided into three rounds. Each team would select 14 players in round 1, 14 players in round 2, and 7 players in round 3. Tampa Bay general manager Chuck LaMar and Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. oversaw their teams' selections. The Devil Rays and Diamondbacks could pick any player not on the protected lists of the 28 other teams, although no team could lose more than one player in a given round. The protected list for each team consisted of: For the first round, 15 players from the rosters of their entire organization—both their 40-man roster, plus all minor league affiliates. Each team could add three more players to its protected list after each round. All players in an organization were eligible to be drafted, except those with no prior major league experience who had less than three years service if signed at age 19 or older, or had less than four years of service if signed at age 18 or younger.http://www.nowhitting.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=530&catid=28&Itemid=40 NowHitting Players who were free agents after the end of the 1997 season need not be protected. As with the 1992 expansion draft, the order was determined by a coin toss. The winner of the toss could choose either: (a) The first overall pick in the expansion draft or (b) allow the other team to pick first and receive both the second and third overall expansion draft picks and the right to pick first in the subsequent rounds of the expansion draft. Arizona won the toss and chose to select second. Results The Devil Rays reportedly considered trading the player they were to select first.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/23068190.html?dids=23068190:23068190&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+18%2C+1997&author=Rod+Beaton&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=Devil+Rays+weighing+offers+for+first+choice+in+the+draft&pqatl=google https://archive.today/20120718212044/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/23068190.html?dids=23068190:23068190&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+18,+1997&author=Rod+Beaton&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=Devil+Rays+weighing+offers+for+first+choice+in+the+draft&pqatl=google dead July 18, 2012 Devil Rays weighing offers for first choice in the draft Rod Beaton USA Today 2C November 18, 1997 October 19, 2011 They chose Tony Saunders from the Florida Marlins.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/78645855.html?dids=78645855:78645855&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+19%2C+1997&author=George+Diaz+of+The+Sentinel+Staff&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=DEVIL+RAYS+GRAB+MCGRIFF%2C+SAUNDERS+TAMPA+BAY+TRADED+FOR+ATLANTA%27S+FRED+MCGRIFF+AND+TOOK+FLORIDA%27S+TONY+SAUNDERS+WITH+ITS+TOP+PICK.&pqatl=google https://archive.today/20130131144531/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/78645855.html?dids=78645855:78645855&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+19,+1997&author=George+Diaz+of+The+Sentinel+Staff&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=DEVIL+RAYS+GRAB+MCGRIFF,+SAUNDERS+TAMPA+BAY+TRADED+FOR+ATLANTA'S+FRED+MCGRIFF+AND+TOOK+FLORIDA'S+TONY+SAUNDERS+WITH+ITS+TOP+PICK.&pqatl=google dead January 31, 2013 DEVIL RAYS GRAB MCGRIFF, SAUNDERS TAMPA BAY TRADED FOR ATLANTA'S FRED MCGRIFF AND TOOK FLORIDA'S TONY SAUNDERS WITH ITS TOP PICK Orlando Sentinel George Diaz November 19, 1997 C1 October 19, 2011 +KeyAll-Star Note, each noted All-Star player achieved that status in later season(s). thumb|upright|Jeff Suppan was the 2006 NLCS MVP. thumb|215px|upright|The Rays traded Bobby Abreu prior to the season for Kevin Stocker. thumb|215px|upright|Miguel Cairo has played for 10 different Major League teams at 7 different positions (counting DH). thumb|215px|upright|Dmitri Young was selected by the Devil Rays from the Reds, and then traded back to the Reds. RoundPickPlayerPositionFromTo11Tony SaundersLeft-handed pitcherFlorida MarlinsTampa Bay Devil Rays12Brian Anderson pitcherLeft-handed pitcherCleveland IndiansArizona Diamondbacks13Jeff SuppanRight-handed pitcherBoston Red SoxArizona Diamondbacks14Quinton McCrackenOutfielderColorado RockiesTampa Bay Devil Rays15Gabe AlvarezThird basemanSan Diego PadresArizona Diamondbacks16Bobby AbreuOutfielderHouston AstrosTampa Bay Devil Rays17Jorge FábregasCatcherChicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks18Miguel CairoSecond basemanChicago CubsTampa Bay Devil Rays19Karim GarcíaOutfielderLos Angeles DodgersArizona Diamondbacks110Rich ButlerOutfielderToronto Blue JaysTampa Bay Devil Rays111Edwin Díaz Edwin Díaz (second baseman)InfielderTexas RangersArizona Diamondbacks112Bob Smith infielderThird basemanAtlanta BravesTampa Bay Devil Rays113Cory LidleRight-handed pitcherNew York MetsArizona Diamondbacks114Jason Johnson baseballRight-handed pitcherPittsburgh PiratesTampa Bay Devil Rays115Joel AdamsonLeft-handed pitcherMilwaukee BrewersArizona Diamondbacks116Dmitri YoungFirst basemanCincinnati RedsTampa Bay Devil Rays117Ben Ford baseballRight-handed pitcherNew York YankeesArizona Diamondbacks118Esteban YanRight-handed pitcherBaltimore OriolesTampa Bay Devil Rays119Yamil BenitezOutfielderKansas City RoyalsArizona Diamondbacks120Mike DiFeliceCatcherSt. Louis CardinalsTampa Bay Devil Rays121Neil WeberLeft-handed pitcherMontreal ExposArizona Diamondbacks122Bubba TrammellOutfielderDetroit TigersTampa Bay Devil Rays123Jason Boyd baseballRight-handed pitcherPhiladelphia PhilliesArizona Diamondbacks124Andy SheetsInfielderSeattle MarinersTampa Bay Devil Rays125Brent BredeOutfielderMinnesota TwinsArizona Diamondbacks126Dennis SpringerRight-handed pitcherAnaheim AngelsTampa Bay Devil Rays127Tony BatistaInfielderOakland AthleticsArizona Diamondbacks128Dan CarlsonRight-handed pitcherSan Francisco GiantsTampa Bay Devil Rays229Tom Martin baseballLeft-handed pitcherHouston AstrosArizona Diamondbacks230Brian BoehringerRight-handed pitcherNew York YankeesTampa Bay Devil Rays231Omar DaalLeft-handed pitcherToronto Blue JaysArizona Diamondbacks232Mike DuvallLeft-handed pitcherFlorida MarlinsTampa Bay Devil Rays233Scott WinchesterRight-handed pitcherCincinnati RedsArizona Diamondbacks234John LeRoyRight-handed pitcherAtlanta BravesTampa Bay Devil Rays235Clint SodowskyRight-handed pitcherPittsburgh PiratesArizona Diamondbacks236Jim MecirRight-handed pitcherBoston Red SoxTampa Bay Devil Rays237Danny KlassenInfielderMilwaukee BrewersArizona Diamondbacks238Bryan RekarRight-handed pitcherColorado RockiesTampa Bay Devil Rays239Matt DrewsRight-handed pitcherDetroit TigersArizona Diamondbacks240Rick GoreckiRight-handed pitcherLos Angeles DodgersTampa Bay Devil Rays241Todd ErdosRight-handed pitcherSan Diego PadresArizona Diamondbacks242Ramón TatísLeft-handed pitcherChicago CubsTampa Bay Devil Rays243Chris Clemons baseballRight-handed pitcherChicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks244Kerry RobinsonOutfielderSt. Louis CardinalsTampa Bay Devil Rays245David DellucciOutfielderBaltimore OriolesArizona Diamondbacks246Steve Cox Steve Cox (baseball)First basemanOakland AthleticsTampa Bay Devil Rays247Damian MillerCatcherMinnesota TwinsArizona Diamondbacks248Albie LopezRight-handed pitcherCleveland IndiansTampa Bay Devil Rays249Héctor CarrascoRight-handed pitcherKansas City RoyalsArizona Diamondbacks250José PaniaguaRight-handed pitcherMontreal ExposTampa Bay Devil Rays251Hanley FriasShortstopTexas RangersArizona Diamondbacks252Carlos Mendoza Carlos Mendoza (outfielder)OutfielderNew York MetsTampa Bay Devil Rays253Bob WolcottRight-handed pitcherSeattle MarinersArizona Diamondbacks254Ryan KarpLeft-handed pitcherPhiladelphia PhilliesTampa Bay Devil Rays255Mike Bell third basemanThird basemanAnaheim AngelsArizona Diamondbacks256Santos HernándezRight-handed pitcherSan Francisco GiantsTampa Bay Devil Rays357Joe RandaThird basemanPittsburgh PiratesArizona Diamondbacks358Randy WinnOutfielderFlorida MarlinsTampa Bay Devil Rays359Martinez Jesús MartínezLeft-handed pitcherLos Angeles DodgersArizona Diamondbacks360Terrell WadeLeft-handed pitcherAtlanta BravesTampa Bay Devil Rays361Russ SpringerRight-handed pitcherHouston AstrosArizona Diamondbacks362Aaron LedesmaInfielderBaltimore OriolesTampa Bay Devil Rays363Bryan CoreyRight-handed pitcherDetroit TigersArizona Diamondbacks364Brooks KieschnickOutfielderChicago CubsTampa Bay Devil Rays365Kelly StinnettCatcherMilwaukee BrewersArizona Diamondbacks366Wilcox Luke WilcoxOutfielderNew York YankeesTampa Bay Devil Rays367Chuck McElroyLeft-handed pitcherChicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks368Herbert PerryInfielderCleveland IndiansTampa Bay Devil Rays369Marty JanzenRight-handed pitcherToronto Blue JaysArizona Diamondbacks370Vaughn EshelmanLeft-handed pitcherOakland AthleticsTampa Bay Devil Rays Post-draft trades thumb|right|100px|The Rays purchased Tampa native Fred McGriff from the Atlanta Braves after the draft. Once the draft was completed a number of trades were made. Teams had to wait until after the draft or risk losing their newly acquired players because they were not on their protected lists. The Devil Rays traded Bobby Abreu to the Philadelphia Phillies for Kevin Stocker The Devil Rays traded Andy Sheets and Brian Boehringer to the San Diego Padres for John Flaherty The Devil Rays traded Dmitri Young to the Cincinnati Reds for Mike Kelly The Devil Rays purchased Fred McGriff from the Atlanta Braves The Diamondbacks traded Gabe Alvarez, Joe Randa, and Matt Drews to the Detroit Tigers for Travis Fryman The Diamondbacks traded Scott Winchester to the Cincinnati Reds for Félix Rodríguez The Diamondbacks traded Jesus Martinez to the Florida Marlins for Devon White The Diamondbacks traded Chuck McElroy to the Colorado Rockies for Harvey Pulliam Aftermath The Diamondbacks intended to make their team competitive as soon as possible by signing free agents. The day prior to the expansion draft, they signed Jay Bell to a $34 million contract across five years.https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/18/sports/baseball-expansion-draft-arizona-gives-bell-34-million-for-5-years.html The New York Times Murray Chass Murray Chass BASEBALL EXPANSION DRAFT; Arizona Gives Bell $34 Million For 5 Years November 18, 1997 Two weeks following the draft, the Diamondbacks traded Fryman and Martin to the Indians for Matt Williams.https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/29/sports/world-series-williams-ends-boos-with-just-one-swing.html World Series; Williams Ends Boos With Just One Swing Tyler Kepner The New York Times October 29, 2001 October 27, 2011 The Devil Rays and Diamondbacks had differing results in their first years in MLB. Both teams altered their initial plans of developing youth; the Devil Rays acquired future Hall of Famer Wade Boggs and pitcher Wilson Alvarez along with sluggers Jose Canseco, Vinny Castilla, and Greg Vaughn while the Diamondbacks added Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Luis Gonzalez, Todd Stottlemyre, Steve Finley, Armando Reynoso, Greg Swindell, Tony Womack, Mark Grace, Reggie Sanders, Craig Counsell and Greg Colbrunn. While the Devil Rays consistently finished last in the AL East for the next decade, the Diamondbacks won the NL West title in 1999, 2001, and 2002, and won the 2001 World Series.https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/26/sports/world-series-preview-arizona-tampa-bay-one-is-up-the-other.html WORLD SERIES PREVIEW; Arizona, Tampa Bay: One Is Up, The Other... Murray Chass Murray Chass The New York Times October 26, 2001 October 27, 2011 Notes References 30em External links http://roadsidephotos.sabr.org/baseball/bb97-8.htm sabr.org Reprint of Boston Baseball article with draft rules March 17, 2006 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gcghAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MJ4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5874,2211557&dq=1997+expansion+draft&hl=en Expansion Draft List Associated Press McCook Daily Gazette November 19, 1997 October 18, 2011 Expansion draft Expansion draft Category:Major League Baseball expansion drafts Expansion Draft Major League Baseball expansion draft Major League Baseball expansion draft Category:1990s in Phoenix, Arizona Category:History of baseball in Arizona Category:Sports in Phoenix, Arizona Category:Organized events in Phoenix, Arizona