MLB Prime 9 Top 9 trade "steals" of All time

cubfan89

The new episode is Monday night. They will be counting down the Top 9 trade "steals"of all time. Let's see who gets them closest in order by Monday. I'm gonna do these using my head and not look them up, so I might not have a total of 9. It's harder than you think.

6. Roberto Alomar from SD to Toronto
5. Jeff Bagwell from Red Sox to Astros
4. Ryne Sandberg from Philly to Cubs
3. Fergie Jenkins from Phils to Cubs
2. Lou Brock from Cubs to Cardinals
1. Babe Ruth to Yankees for Cash

cincyredlegs

I think that the Reds trading a "washed up" 30 year old Frank Robinson to the Orioles in 1966 will be in the top 5. Maybe #2. All he did in his first year with the Orioles was win the triple crown. Still shaking my head with that trade.

baseballfan

yeah i was going to say robby for milt pappas too

smoltz for doyle alexander

cubfan89

Both good suggestions, forgot all about Robinson. I didn't even know about Smoltz! i'm sure you both will be right.

VintageCardLover

what about the trade that sent ozzie smith to St. Louis ?

nam812

Make sure you put Nolan Ryan from the Mets to the Angels for Jim Fregosi in there somewhere.

WinPitcher

Geez Nick I was just about to say that.


Steve

Dboneesq

<< <i>Make sure you put Nolan Ryan from the Mets to the Angels for Jim Fregosi in there somewhere. >>


Being a fellow New Yawka and a METS fan, that's the one that I think of every time this subject comes up!!!

bman90278

How bout Ozzie Smith for Gary Templeton.

brian

Morgoth

Ozzie for Templeton wasn't as bad as it looks now. Based on just hitting alone, Templeton was much better at the time.

I think in recent times the Aramis Rameriz trade to the Cubs was one of the biggest steals ever. The Cubs didn't even trade a prospect or established ML player for an all star player at one of the toughest positons to find 3B. He was even signed long term to a low dollar deal (based on his real value).

EchoCanyon

<< <i>
4. Ryne Sandberg from Philly to Cubs
>>



There's a great Dallas Greens story who was part of the Phillies organization, then the Cubs. He knew how good Sanberg could be, so when he got to Chicago, he proposed a trade two switch their shortstops: Ivan DeJesus for Larry Bowa. Green, being shrewd said, you got to throw in someone else, give me that guy in Single A, Sandlot, Sand-something. And the Phiilies did. Greene later confessed that the whole trade was thought up just to get Sandberg.

K

Apparently you haven't been reading my Red Sox Trivia thread...



<< <i>Feb 5:

Q: On February 16 1909, the Cleveland Indians (then known as the "Naps") traded Charlie Chech, Jack Ryan, and $12,500 to the Red Sox for which future Hall of Fame pitcher?



A: Cy Young >>

MDCards

Great thread. I think one of the Schilling trades might make the list, maybe the '91 trade when the O's traded him, Finley, and Harnish to the Astros for Glenn Davis. Oops. Of course, then the Astros trade him a year later to the Phils for Grimsley. And people (myself included) always forget that McGriff was a Yankee, but they traded him to the Jays for Dale Murray, who ended up giving the Yanks 3 wins and about 100 IP over the next two seasons before being out of MLB. The Randy Johnson trade (expos) ended up being pretty awful too.

CARDSANDCOINS

In 1971 the Reds traded Lee May to the Astros for Joe Morgan and Cesar Geranimo.

Smuggo

What about Steve Carlton for Rick Wise?

CSUrunandstun

The Cleveland Indians traded Eddie Taubensee to the Astros for Kenny Lofton...

markj111

The Christie Mathewson "trade" could be in there, though there was more to that than meets the eye. Schilling,Steve Finley, and Pete Harnisch to Houston for a washed up Glen Davis. The Alomar trade was not that bad, there was a lot of value going both ways. Alomar and Carter for McGriff and Fernandez.

What about Brett Butler and Brook Jacoby for Len Barker? Keith Hernandez to the Mets for a warm body (Neal Allen). Bobby Abreu for someone (Kevin Stocker?)

UlyssesExtravaganza

<< <i>Great thread. I think one of the Schilling trades might make the list, maybe the '91 trade when the O's traded him, Finley, and Harnish to the Astros for Glenn Davis. Oops. Of course, then the Astros trade him a year later to the Phils for Grimsley. And people (myself included) always forget that McGriff was a Yankee, but they traded him to the Jays for Dale Murray, who ended up giving the Yanks 3 wins and about 100 IP over the next two seasons before being out of MLB. The Randy Johnson trade (expos) ended up being pretty awful too. >>



That Glenn Davis to the O's trade will make it I'm almost sure. They show a highlight of him in the promo for it. And it absolutely was awful. As an O's fans, it hurts to this day. And I didn't even realize Schilling was in it. Harnisch and Finley for a guy who provided almost nothing was bad enough.

baseballfan

that's another o's trade i thought of ohh glenn davis

Blackborder

The Cubs trading Bill Buckner to the Red Sox for Dennis Eckersley in 1984 has to rank somewhere.

TomGshotput

With so many choices cannot see how Alomar makes the list as San Diego did get McGriff, even if he was later flipped for few discount coupons for fast food and and oil change

Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek for Heathcliff Slocumb is my personal favorite

Young Sammy Sosa and Randy Johnson are two others

Pedro Martinez could appear on the list twice. . .

Mets not only traded Ryan away for spare parts, but did the same with Tom Seaver shortly after

google reminds me of Joe Jackson in 1910

ejguru

Varitek, Lowe (total 3 ws rings) for Heathcliff.....not much else to say there. Has to be one of the most one-sided in last 20 years.

PSASAP

How about the A's trading Mark McGwire to the Cards for T.J. Mathews, Eric Ludwick and Blake Stein?

fuj

This is a more recent trade that doesn't get talked about as much as I would think:

The Indians traded Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew to the Expos in 2002 for Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, Grady Sizemore and Lee Stevens.

UlyssesExtravaganza

<< <i>This is a more recent trade that doesn't get talked about as much as I would think:

The Indians traded Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew to the Expos in 2002 for Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, Grady Sizemore and Lee Stevens. >>



This one absolutely belongs on this list. Have thought about this one recently and it's probably a pretty good argument for why Omar Minaya is not a really awesome GM.

markj111

Many of the awful trades of the last 25 years were driven by free agency and contracts rather than perceived value.

otwcards

Who can forget the Twins trying to make room for Joe Mauer by trading A.J. Pierzunski to the Giants for Francisco Liriano, Joe Nathan and Boof Bosner? Maybe not quite on the level of the Indians fleecing Omar Minaya (don't worry Mets fans, Omar has ALWAYS been an idiot, not just since he came to NY) and the Expos in the Bartolo Colon deal, but a pretty solid deal that Sabian probably regrets.

NickM

Bartolo Colon did win a Cy Young Award after that trade (though not with the Expos), so it can't rank with the all-time bad trades.

The Dodgers traded away John Franco (and a minor leaguer named Brett Wise) in 1983 for a backup middle infielder coming off 2 straight seasons of sub-Mendoza line batting averages named Rafael Landestoy. Over the next season and a half, Landestoy had an OPS of about .460 with 30 total bases and 3 total RBI. He didn't field well either. That ended his career.

Franco pitched 21 seasons in the majors, with 1119 games pitched (3rd all time), 2 Rolaids NL Relief Man of the Year Awards, 4 All-Star appearances, 3 times leading the NL in saves, and 424 career saves (4th all time).

Making it worse, closer was the Dodgers weakness for most of the '80s.

Nick

markj111

<< <i>Bartolo Colon did win a Cy Young Award after that trade (though not with the Expos), so it can't rank with the all-time bad trades.

The Dodgers traded away John Franco (and a minor leaguer named Brett Wise) in 1983 for a backup middle infielder coming off 2 straight seasons of sub-Mendoza line batting averages named Rafael Landestoy. Over the next season and a half, Landestoy had an OPS of about .460 with 30 total bases and 3 total RBI. He didn't field well either. That ended his career.

Franco pitched 21 seasons in the majors, with 1119 games pitched (3rd all time), 2 Rolaids NL Relief Man of the Year Awards, 4 All-Star appearances, 3 times leading the NL in saves, and 424 career saves (4th all time).

Making it worse, closer was the Dodgers weakness for most of the '80s.

Nick >>





The Dodgers though they had Steve Howe many chances do I get as the their closer.

dtkk49a

A-Rod to the Yanks for Soriano straight up seems like a steal now.

shagrotn77

<< <i>A-Rod to the Yanks for Soriano straight up seems like a steal now. >>



I'm pretty sure there was more involved in that trade.

lanemyer85

I think in recent times the Aramis Rameriz trade to the Cubs was one of the biggest steals ever. The Cubs didn't even trade a prospect or established ML player for an all star player at one of the toughest positons to find 3B.

The Pirates received Bobby Hill (then "future AS 2B and leadoff hitter") who at tbe time was the Cubs' #5 BA Top Prospect as the main piece...but yeah that was a fleece job.

Allen

<< <i>Many of the awful trades of the last 25 years were driven by free agency and contracts rather than perceived value. >>



Very True. Many modern deals are -rent a player for the playoff, then he leaves to free agency in 2 months deals.

lanemyer85

< A-Rod to the Yanks for Soriano straight up seems like a steal now. >>

I'm pretty sure there was more involved in that trade.

it was A-rod and cash for A.Soriano and Joaquin Arias.

41GoudeyGuy

It's a little early but right now the Dodgers trading Milton Bracley for Andre Eithier is looking like a trade we look back fondly on (for LA that is).

dontippet

<< <i>What about Steve Carlton for Rick Wise? >>



That's the one I was thinking of.

dontippet

<< <i>How about the A's trading Mark McGwire to the Cards for T.J. Mathews, Eric Ludwick and Blake Stein? >>



While I agree it was an awesome trade, I wouldn't call it a steal. Both parties were motivated to make this trade. The A's knew McGwire wasn't going to stay after the end of the season, so they figured they better get somebody for him. The Cardinals weren't going to trade any significant players because they were merely attempting to acquire McGwire to bolster their lineup for the rest of the season. The Cardinals, just like the A's, did not think that McGwire would stay after the season. The Cardinals just happened to luck out that McGwire fell in love with St. Louis and decided to finish out his career there.

bladefox

How about the Red Sox trading then prospect Jeff Bagwell to the Astros for a closer (I forgot his name).

fuj

<< <i>Who can forget the Twins trying to make room for Joe Mauer by trading A.J. Pierzunski to the Giants for Francisco Liriano, Joe Nathan and Boof Bosner? Maybe not quite on the level of the Indians fleecing Omar Minaya (don't worry Mets fans, Omar has ALWAYS been an idiot, not just since he came to NY) and the Expos in the Bartolo Colon deal, but a pretty solid deal that Sabian probably regrets. >>



Oh man, I don't know how I didn't even think of that one. As a life long Giants fan, I guess I try to block that trade out of my memory. I didn't like the trade from day 1 because I had heard all the stories about Pierzinski being a cancer in the clubhouse. Sure enough, he wore out his welcome really quickly. The trade was a steal for the Twins due to Nathan's success alone but Liriano's career will probably determine if this goes down as one of the worst trades of all time.

Sabean absolutely regrets this one.

Estil

<< <i>What about Steve Carlton for Rick Wise? >>



Not a very wise trade!

1960toppsguy

I remember the OZZIE for TEMPELTON trade well, I thought it was the worse trade ever at the time . . . the other way. Tempelton was in my opinion the greatest thing going at the time and TRADED for who???????????????????

Estil

And what's up with #1 on the list being Babe Ruth sold for cash; that really doesn't count as a trade.

TNP777

<< <i>It's a little early but right now the Dodgers trading Milton Bracley for Andre Eithier is looking like a trade we look back fondly on (for LA that is). >>

The Dodgers definitely came out ahead in that one. I'm still trying to figure out who came out ahead when we traded Pedro Martinez to the Expos for Delino DeShields.

digicat

In 1971, the Giants dealt a young slugger named George Foster to the Reds for Frank Duffy and Vern Geishert.

Geishert retired immediatly, and Duffy didn't bat his weight in 21 games with the Giants.


To add insult to injury, that same year, the Giants took Duffy, packaged him with All Star Gaylord Perry, and shipped them both off to Cleveland for Sam McDowell, who's career was in free-fall due to alcoholism.

Perry won the Cy Young Award the next year, and McDowell went 10-8 with a 4.33 era.

bking

<< <i>Make sure you put Nolan Ryan from the Mets to the Angels for Jim Fregosi in there somewhere. >>



To make matters worse, they actually gave up Ryan AND 3 other players for fregosi, IIRC.

jamesryanbell

<< <i>Make sure you put Nolan Ryan from the Mets to the Angels for Jim Fregosi in there somewhere. >>



That's the second one I thought of after the Ruth deal.

matthewbschultz83

<< <i>How about the Red Sox trading then prospect Jeff Bagwell to the Astros for a closer (I forgot his name). >>



Larry Anderson.

Sammy Sosa, Wilson Alveraz, and Scott Fletcher to Chicago for Harold Baines and Fred Manrique

From a Ranger standpoint the Arod for Soriano and Arias (we could have asked for Cano) wasn't so bad, its when we decided we weren't going to keep Soriano and flipped him to Washington for Brad Wilkerson, Termel Sledge, and Armando Galarraga.

How about Darwin Cubillan and Michael Young to Texas for Esteban Loaiza.

Mark my words, this trade goes down someday on the worst list, and I don't care if he becomes a HOF or not Teixeira and Ron Mahay to Atlanta for Neftali Feliz, Elvis Andrus, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Matt Harrison, and Beau Jones.

Morgoth

I forgot about Bobby Hill but he never panned out at all and neither did that outfielder who had the one big Sept call up for the Cubs.

For Aramis they could have gotten better than the #5 overall prospect and some retreads. That was a ownership move and purely a salary dump that they at least admit to.

thekid8

Hubie Brooks, Mike Fitzgerald, Herm Winningham and Floyd Youmans

for Gary Carter

bbuckner22

I think the Cubs trade of Dennis Eckersley to the A's for 3 suspects, I mean prospects that I can't remember was a decent deal for Oakland.

bziddy

A newer one that is sticking out in my mind (if it hasn't been mentioned):

Adrian Gonzalez (.285, 130 HR, 400 RBI, .884OPS) 2x All-Star, 2x GG
Chris Young (31-25, 474K, 3.70 ERA, 1.197 WHIP) 1x All-Star
Termel Sledge (.215, 9 HR, 30 RBI)

for

Billy Killian (.233 career MiLB AVG)
Adam Eaton (24-27, 232K, 6.19 ERA, 1.652 WHIP)
Akinori Otsuka (4-5, 36 Saves, 2.25 ERA, 1.076 WHIP, RETIRED/INJURED)

Aside from Otsuka, who fared well until injured....mild steal here.