Most Historical Trades In MLB History
Every MLB team has a trade that changed trajectory forever. Whether that was in a good or bad way. These are the most impactful trades in the history of MLB.
Arizona Diamondbacks- Luis Gonzalez Trade
The Diamondbacks in 1998 sent Karim Garcia to the Tigers for veteran Luis Gonzalez. Gonzalez became one of the best hitters in baseball for the Diamondbacks and helped win the franchise a World Series.
Atlanta Braves- John Smoltz
The Braves acquired a young pitcher from AA named John Smoltz from the Detroit Tigers. Well, as you know, he became a Hall of Fame ace.
Baltimore Orioles- Frank Robinson Deal
In 1965, the Orioles pulled one of the biggest lopsided deals in MLB history. They got Frank Robinson from the Reds for Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun and Dick Simpson won the Triple Crown and MVP and led the O's to the World Series title in 1966.
Boston Red Sox- Babe Ruth Curse
In 1919 the Red Sox made one of the worst moves in the history of professional sports. They sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $100,00. It changed the history of baseball forever.
Chicago Cubs- Jake Arrieta
In 2013 the Cubs traded a pitcher and catch to Baltimore and got Jake Arrieta from the Orioles. He struggled in Baltimore but blossomed to a Cy Young award winner with the Cubs.
Chicago White Sox- Paul Konerko Trade
In 1998 the White Sox made a trade for a young first baseman named Paul Konerko. Well in Chicago he became a 6 time All-Star and hit over 400 HRs.
Cincinnati Reds- Joe Morgan Trade
In 1971 the Reds traded a few players for a minor league second baseman out of Houston named Joe Morgan. Well he was part of the "Big Red Machine" and made 8 All-Star games and won two MVPs.
Cleveland Guardians - Expos Fleece
In June 2002 Cleveland sent away Bartolo Colon but ended up getting a sizable return. They got Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips.
Colorado Rockies- Trading Matt Holliday
It was hard for the Rockies to deal away star Matt Holliday. But they sent him to the Athletics and received Carlos Gonzalez and Huston Street.
Detroit Tigers- Miguel Cabrera Deal
In the 2007 winter meetings Detroit pulled off a blockbuster deal with the Marlins. They acquired Miguel Cabrera (and Dontrelle Willis). Well Cabrera became one of baseball's best of the generation.
Houston Astros- Jeff Bagwell
In 1990 in a late waiver trade Boston sent little known AA third baseman named Jeff Bagwell to the Astros. He became a NL MVP and a HOF.
Kansas City Royals- Zack Greinke Trade
In 2010 the Royals sent their former Cy Young award winner Zack Greinke to the Brewers for a bunch of prospects. Those prospects helped the Royals win a World Series.
Los Angeles Angels- Nolan Ryan Trade
After the 1971 season the Angels sent All-Star SS Jim Fregosi to the Mets for four players one happened to be Nolan Ryan. During his time with the Angels Nolan Ryan blossomed into a hall of famer.
Miami (Florida) Marlins- Miguel Cabrera
The Miguel Cabrera trade did not only impact the Tigers but impacted the Marlins as well. The trade was simply a disaster for the Marlins.
Milwaukee Brewers- Christian Yelich
In 2018, the Brewers took advantage of the once again rebuilding Marlins. They got Christian Yelich for four prospects. Yelich became a instant MVP.
Minnesota Twins- Johan Santana Trade
In the 1999 rule 5 draft the Twins arranged a pre-draft snag to get Johan Santana from the Florida Marlins. He became a two time Cy Young Award winner.
New York Mets- Mike Piazza Trade
In 1998 the Mets got Mike Piazza from the Florida Marlins (common theme here). Sure the Marlins got a bunch of prospects but none as impactful as Piazza.
New York Yankees - Babe Ruth
The most iconic American sports swap of all time. The Yankees purchased Babe Ruth from the Red Sox for $100,000 in cash. Ruth became arguably the greatest baseball player of all time and won four World Series with the Yankees.
Oakland Athletics- Ricky Henderson
The Athletics brought back a familiar face in Rickey Henderson. In his second stint with the Athletics he won MVP and helped win the pennant.
Philadelphia Phillies- Steve Carlton Trade
In February 1972 the Phillies traded Rick Wise to St. Louis to for Steve Carlton. It became one of the most lopsided trades in MLB history. Carlton won four Cy Young awards.
Pittsburgh Pirates- Doug Drabek Trade
The Pirates sent Rick Rhoden and 2 relief pitchers to the Yankees and got a Doug Drabek. He became an ace and won the 1990 Cy Young award.
San Diego Padres- Adrian Gonzalez
In 2006 the Padres made a swap with the Rangers and got Adrian Gonzalez. He became a multiple time All-Star.
San Francisco Giants- Kevin Mitchell
In July 1987 the Giants and Padres did a 7 player deal. Mitchell blossomed in SF and won NL MVP in 1987.
Seattle Mariners- Randy Johnson
In 1989 the Mariners traded their ace Mark Langston to the Montreal Expos. They got a trio of young pitchers, one of those pitchers was named Randy Johnson. He became the cornerstone of the Mariners pitching won a Cy Young award and was one of the most dominant of his generation.
St. Louis Cardinals - Lou Brock
The Cardinals acquired Lou Brock from the Cubs in a midseason trade. Well Brock went on to win two World Series with the Cardinals.
Tampa Bay Rays - Chris Archer Trade
In July 2018 the Rays traded Chris Archer to the Pirates for a haul. Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows and Shane Baz.
Texas Rangers - Mark Teixeria
The Rangers sent 1st baseman Mark Teixeira to the Braves in a rebuild attempt. They got five prospects including Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz.
Toronto Blue Jays - Roberto Alomar & Joe Carter
In 1990 the Blue Jays sent Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez out and brought in Roberto Alomar and Joe carter. Carter hit one of the biggest HRs in baseball history and Alomar became a perennial All-Star.
Washington Nationals (Expos)
In 1997 the Expos traded Pedro Martinez to the Boston Red Sox. Well we all know how big Pedro was in Boston finally breaking over the hump and winning the World Series.