St. Louis Cardinals received Frank Patrick in the 1973-05-25…
St. Louis Cardinals received Frank Patrick in the 1973-05-25 exchange with Green Bay Packers, giving up Rocky Wallace. St. Louis acquired Frank Patrick in exchange for linebacker Rocky Wallace. That return supports a C grade for St. Louis Cardinals. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Frank Patrick
Green Bay Packers Received
- player Rocky Wallace
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1973-05-25, St. Louis Cardinals and Green Bay Packers completed a deal in which St. Louis Cardinals received Frank Patrick, while Green Bay Packers received Rocky Wallace. Multiple historical records agree on the player movement, counterparties, and material consideration. That makes the useful hindsight question straightforward: what football value did each club actually receive from the assets attached to this exchange?
St. Louis Cardinals Return
St. Louis acquired Frank Patrick in exchange for linebacker Rocky Wallace. The return is best judged at the scale of the transaction itself. For St. Louis Cardinals, the important point is whether the incoming asset produced usable service or preserved meaningful draft value. Nothing in the documented outcome justifies stretching the grade beyond what the actual return supports, so C is an appropriate mark.
Green Bay Packers Return
Green Bay acquired Rocky Wallace, but historical accounts indicate neither incoming player became a meaningful contributor for his new club. That result defines the other side of the comparison. For Green Bay Packers, the grade should reflect the contribution or draft value that followed from this specific deal, without crediting unrelated roster moves or later transactions. On that basis, C fits the value Green Bay Packers ultimately realized.
Value in Hindsight
With neither side realizing notable production from the incoming player, the trade finished as a low-value wash. Because this was not a franchise-changing exchange, the grade spread should remain proportional to the evidence. Late-round picks, short veteran stints, failed physicals, and nominal cash returns can still matter, but they should not be treated like premium assets. The comparison therefore emphasizes actual service, identifiable draft outcomes, and the direct consequences of the deal.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. St. Louis Cardinals receives C, while Green Bay Packers receives C. That verdict matches the documented outcome and keeps the judgment tied to the exchange itself. Where the realized returns were close, the grades stay close; where one side obtained clearly more useful football value, the grade separation reflects that advantage without overstating a relatively small transaction.