Fansided

10 best MLB waiver trades since 2000

By Josh Criswell

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
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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Sep 18, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) rounds the bases on his two run home run during the eighth inning to tie the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. New York Yankees won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) rounds the bases on his two run home run during the eighth inning to tie the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. New York Yankees won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

When the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Jose Bautista to the Toronto Blue Jays, he was not even on the MLB roster. The Pirates did not think twice about sending him away, and traded him for a 24-year old catcher named Robinson Diaz, who had played a total of one game at the MLB-level.

The Blue Jays simply needed a player to fill in for the injured Scott Rolen at third base. They had little clue whether or not Bautista could become an everyday player, much less the face of the franchise he is now.

Bautista finished the 2008 season in rather subpar fashion, hitting .214 with three home runs in his first 21 games with the Blue Jays. He improved slightly the next year, batting .235 with 13 home runs.

The next year: Bautista led the league with 54 bombs, and did so again the following season with 43.

His batting average has never been stellar, but that is not what is asked of him. He is an elite power hitter that has not missed an All-Star game since his breakout year in 2010. Along with several big additions from the recent MLB trade deadline, Bautista gives the Blue Jays a chance at their first playoff appearance since winning the 1993 World Series.

Diaz has not appeared in an MLB game since 2009. If this trade does not personify the pre-Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh Pirates, I do not know what does.

Next: Cardinals acquire Woody Williams

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