Here is a list that nobody wants to be on. A bad trade can set your team up for disaster, and the other team for success. Over the life of this World, we have seen many controversial trades, and many we thought were perfect for both sides. This post will take a look at the worst trades from the first 3 seasons.
Austin (New Orleans) sends SS Julian Thomson to Kansas City for LF Jin-Che Tanaka, P Derek Cota, and SS Mitchell Finley in Season 2.
Thomson, the #1 overall pick in Season 1, is arguably the most complete SS in Sharkey's World today. Although his range is slightly below average, his batting numbers more than makeup for his defense. The package that was sent to Austin was laughable at best. Tanaka never played a game, and Cota pitched 313 innings in his ML career boasting a 15-16 record with a 5.51 ERA. Finley, the only player sent to Austin still playing today, has enjoyed a successful minor league career (.321/.392/.603), but has struggled in the majors (.248/.311/.412).
Atlanta sends P Henry Mackowiak to Pawtucket for IF/OF Kevin O'Shea, OF Benjamin Butler, and C Harry Foster in Season 3.
Nothing needs to be said about Henry Mackowiak. The Pawtucket hurler has a career 105-37 record, 2.51 ERA and a CY Young in Season 4. Utility man Kevin O'Shea, best known for his off-season work in Urbania, Ohio, has spent time in the minors in all but 2 seasons. His ML career line of .279/.332/.371 makes him the best member of the group. Benjamin Butler saw his first ML action in Season 8, posting a .196/.301/.327 in 153 ABs. His durability will prevent him from getting a full season in at any level. As for Foster, his career seemed like that of a D-List Adam Dunn. A ML caliber stick with no real position.
Columbus (New York) sends IF Mark Abercrombie to Huntington for P Whitey Hall in Season 1.
Abercrombie started his career at SS, but moved to 3B after Season 4. Although traded 3 times, he has a career line of .305/.370/.487 in more than 1100 ML games. He has had over 600 plate appearances in every season except Season 4. At age 29, his still has many productive years ahead of him. Whitey Hall never pitched after Season 6. In 132 career ML games, he is 51-53 with a 5.03 ERA. With no control, nor a dominate pitch, Hall's career never seemed to have a chance.
St. Louis sends 2B Bobby Parris, P Tony Villafuerte, and $2.0 million to Louisville (Monterrey) for P Oleg Webster, P Andre Holt, and P Del Duffy in Season 2.
Parris has averaged almost 25 HRs per season, with a career .290/.353/.476 line. He plays Gold Glove caliber defense at 2B and has had 1 trip to the DL for a broken wrist in Season 2. Villafuerte was a salary dump, but he was effect in 2 of 3 seasons before his retirement. Webster played 2 seasons in St. Louis before his reitrement posting a 12.00+ ERA in only 26.1 ML innings. SP Andre Holt has shown flashes of brilliance. In Season 4, he went 10-9 in 215 innings with a 3.89 ERA at the ML level. However, his career number show a much different pitcher. He hasn't played since Season 6 and remains unsigned. Retired Del Duffy has suffered the same fate as Webster.
Austin (New Orleans) sends P Felipe Soto to Cheyenne for P Brian Allen and P David Villa in Season 3.
Felipe Soto has enjoyed success at the ML level since the trade. He boasts a career 3.89 ERA, and has been used as a reliever and starter. An All-Star in Season 4, he is currently a Cy Young candidate with a 18-5 record and 2.64 ERA. Brian Allen has been suffled back and forth between the Majors and AAA. With a career ML ERA of 5.44, he has proven to be less than effective. While Allen was being moved around, David Villa has remained. Villa has pitched 374 AAA games. However, a .310 OAV and 6.78 ERA will not get the job done.
** After making this list, I realize that New Orleans could have actually been good **
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1 comment:
I don't know if my trade was one of the worst in league history. Did it work out as well as I hoped, no.
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