THE STORY
In November 1997, shortly after winning the World Series, the Florida Marlins began trading key players, including Moisés Alou to the Houston Astros and Al Leiter to the New York Mets, in an effort to reduce payroll. This dismantling led to a 54–108 record in 1998, the worst ever by a defending World Series champion.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
Florida Marlins
WHY IT MATTERS
The Marlins' decision to dismantle their championship team remains a significant example of a franchise prioritizing financial considerations over competitive success.