The Tigers’ turnaround from 119 losses in 2003 to an American League pennant three years later was a renaissance that changed the course of the franchise and set up a decade as largely a contender. Much of the spotlight falls on marquee free-agent signings Pudge Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez. But amidst the power play on the market were trades that reinforced president/general manager Dave Dombrowski’s reputation as one of the shrewdest dealers in the game. None were bigger than the Carlos Guillen deal.

Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the trade. A pivot move to address arguably the biggest weakness on Detroit’s roster became one of the most lopsided deals in franchise history, and it came together partly by circumstance.