St. Louis acquired Lonnie Sanders from Washington for…
St. Louis acquired Lonnie Sanders from Washington for defensive back Jim Burson, whose historical references also use James and Jimmy Burson. Sanders immediately played 13 games, started 11, and intercepted three passes for the Cardinals in 1968. Burson was moved again and spent that season starting for Atlanta, leaving St. Louis with the clearer direct value from the original player-for-player exchange.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Lonnie Sanders
Washington Commanders Received
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1968-01-26, St. Louis Cardinals received Lonnie Sanders, while Washington received James Burson / Jim Burson / Jimmy Burson. The trade is judged by the football value each club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange. When a draft choice cannot be tied confidently to a later selection, the asset remains described at the level the historical evidence supports.
St. Louis Cardinals Return
St. Louis acquired Lonnie Sanders from Washington for defensive back Jim Burson, whose historical references also use James and Jimmy Burson. Sanders immediately played 13 games, started 11, and intercepted three passes for the Cardinals in 1968. Burson was moved again and spent that season starting for Atlanta, leaving St. Louis with the clearer direct value from the original player-for-player exchange.
Washington Return
Washington received Jim Burson from St. Louis in exchange for Lonnie Sanders. Burson's multiple first-name forms refer to the same player, and he did not become the stronger Washington return; he was moved onward and started for Atlanta in 1968. Sanders, meanwhile, gave St. Louis 13 games, 11 starts, and three interceptions that season, so Washington trails in realized value.
Value in Hindsight
The multiple Burson names are aliases for one player, not evidence of extra compensation. Once that is kept straight, the comparison is simple. Sanders became an immediate Cardinals starter and intercepted three passes in 1968, while Burson did not create a comparable direct Washington return before moving onward. St. Louis therefore obtained the more useful player from a straight swap. The B- grade reflects meaningful short-term starting value without treating one productive season as a major franchise-changing gain.
Final Verdict
The final call is St. Louis Cardinals Win. St. Louis Cardinals earns B-, and Washington earns C. Those grades reflect the supported package, the documented post-trade production, and the relative football value each side ultimately realized from this exchange.