Contract Negotiations With Greg Maddux
While Himes' tenure with the Cubs will surely be remembered for the acquisition of Sosa, it will also be remembered for the departure of pitcher Greg Maddux following the 1992 season, a season in which Maddux won 20 games and his first of four consecutive National League Cy Young Awards.
Maddux had emerged back in 1988, when he made the National League All-Star team for the first time and won 18 games. He won 19 games in 1989 and 15 in 1990 and 1991, staking his claim as the Cubs' ace, and one of the National League's best pitchers. As he was eligible for free agency in 1992, Himes negotiated with Maddux and his agent Scott Boras during the first half of 1992. In July 1992, Himes offered Maddux a contract that would pay him more than $5 million per year. Maddux indicated that he wanted to test the free agent market first, so the offer was withdrawn.
After Maddux filed for free agency, he fielded offers from the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. After he received his offer from the Braves, he contacted Himes to see if Himes would match the offer. Himes declined, stating that he spent Maddux's money on Randy Myers, José Guzmán, Dan Plesac and Candy Maldonado.
Maddux made his Braves' debut on Opening Day 1993 at Wrigley Field, beating the Cubs and his former teammate Mike Morgan 1–0. He went on to play in every postseason from 1993 until 2003, winning three more Cy Young Awards, three National League pennants and one World Series. Guzmán's Cubs career was marred by injuries and Maldonado and Plesac did not make significant contributions to the club either. Myers became the Cubs' relief ace, and he helped the Cubs finish .500 in 1993.
Maddux's departure is regarded as one of the Cubs' franchise's worst moves, on par with the trading of future Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Lou Brock to the St. Louis Cardinals for sore-armed pitcher Ernie Broglio.
Read more about this topic: Larry Himes, Tenure With Cubs
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