San Francisco Giants: 5 December Trades That Worked Out

                               There he is right in the middle of the show.

John Burkett goes to Texas for Desi Wilson and Rich Aurilia

The Giants were sending a very productive arm out of their organization. John Burkett was drafted by the Giants in the 6th round of the 1983 draft.

He finally came to San Francisco to stay in 1990, when he went 14-7 in 33 starts. His All-Star performance in the 1993 season was his high point of his career when he went 22-7 with a 3.65 ERA.

The following season was shortened by injury, and then in December of 1994, he was sent to Texas. Oddly enough, he was granted free agency that April, and signed with the Florida Marlins. Then after pitching one full season with Florida, he was again traded to Texas, this time toward the end of the 1996 season.

Burkett had a few quality seasons toward the end of his career with Atlanta (even making an All-Star game with them) and Boston, but never achieved the same consistency with the Rangers.

Desi Wilson hit .271 with a couple of home runs in 41 games in 1996. That was it for him.

But Richie was the prize.

In 12 years with the Giants, Aurilia hit .275 with 143 home runs, and quality defense at short. He made the All-Star team in 2001, when he led the league with 206 hits and had 37 home runs and a .324 average.

He ended his career in San Francisco, after stints in Seattle, San Diego and Cincinnati. He is currently part of the Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area team that covers the Giants.