Notable transactions include signing aging veteran Darrell Evans in 1984; trading John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander in 1987, and Kirk Gibson's departure as a free agent following the 1987 season.

While ridiculed by Detroit fans now, the Smoltz trade helped the Tigers make the playoffs in 1987, as Alexander posted 9 wins and 0 losses in 11 starts, with a 1.53 earned run average.

[1] He then served as a special assistant or consultant to the Atlanta Braves (1991–98), Milwaukee Brewers (2001–02), Boston Red Sox (2003–06), Los Angeles Dodgers (2006–09) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2009–10).

Lajoie played a high-profile consulting role in the Boston front office during the brief interregnum between November 2005 and February 2006 caused by the temporary resignation of Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.

As a front office member, Lajoie won World Series Championships with the Detroit Tigers in 1984, the Atlanta Braves in 1995, and the Boston Red Sox in 2004.