10 best MLB waiver trades since 2000

Jul 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) hit a solo home run off of Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Kendall Graveman (31), not in picture, during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jul 5, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Thomas Pham (60) is congratulated by third base coach Jose Oquendo (11) after hitting his first major league home run against the San Diego Padres during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Trading Ray Lankford to the San Diego Padres for Woody Williams had to be tough for St. Louis Cardinals fans. Lankford was a former All-Star who had spent his entire career with the Cardinals up to that point.

The need of a starting pitcher for the 2001 playoff push weighed heavier than any sentimental reasons for keeping their aging outfielder, though, and as a result the organization traded for Williams.

Although he was already in his mid-30s by the time St. Louis acquired him, Williams’ best baseball was still ahead of him. He posted a 7-1 record with a 2.28 earned run average during 11 starts with the Cardinals, and played a big part in leading the team to the postseason. St. Louis would lose to the Arizona Diamondback in the first round of the playoffs, but Williams would allow just one run in seven innings during his only start in the series.

He would go on to have several more successful seasons with the team, including making the 2003 MLB All-Star Game on his way to posting an 18-9 record. Lankford would battle through injuries during his time in San Diego before returning to St. Louis in 2004 to finish his career.

Next: Cardinals acquire Larry Walker

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