Saltwell was criticized for a number of transactions. His first transaction was on October 28, 1975, when he traded
shortstop Don Kessinger to the
St. Louis Cardinals for
pitcher Mike Garman. Kessinger was the last player remaining from the 1969 Cubs team. On May 17, Saltwell made a deal with the Expos, which was also highly criticized by fans and media alike. In the draft, Saltwell did not have any better luck. Under Saltwell, the Cubs selected pitcher
Herman Segelke in the first round of the June draft. In September 1976, Saltwell was confronted by pitcher
Steve Stone. Stone had informed Saltwell of his impending free agency and attempted to get a contract. Saltwell responded by telling Stone that Mr. Wrigley was in the middle of a divorce and he would have to get back to him. Stone opted to leave the Cubs. One of the most criticized trades was made on February 11, 1977, when the Cubs traded
third baseman Bill Madlock and infielder
Rob Sperring to the
San Francisco Giants for outfielder
Bobby Murcer, third baseman
Steve Ontiveros and pitcher Andy Muhlstock. Madlock was a two-time defending
batting champion who had hit .354 and .339 over the previous two seasons. Saltwell wanted more power and acquired Murcer. After smashing 27 home runs in 1977 with the Cubs, Murcer hit just nine in 1978 and was traded to his original team, the
New York Yankees. ==Personal==