Fansided

The 30 worst trades in MLB history

By David Rouben

Oct 18, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning in game two of the NLCS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning in game two of the NLCS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports /

23: Chris Archer to the Rays

The trade: The Rays received Chris Archer, Robinson Chirinos, Sam Fuld, Brandon Guyer and Hak-Ju Lee.

The Cubs received Matt Garza, Fernando Perez, and Zac Rosscup.

Matt Garza was a dominant pitcher for the Rays, most notably in their 2008 World Series run when he was named the ALCS MVP. However, in this eight-player blockbuster deal with the Cubs, the Rays were trading for the future and they got it in the form of now superstar pitcher Chris Archer.

This season was Archer’s best so far, getting his first All-Star Game appearance and recording the second-most strikeouts in the AL with 252. He pitched so well, Rays fans forgot who David Price was.

Garza being included in this package was probably how the Rays were able to land as talented a prospect as Archer. The Rays likely knew that Garza was on the tail-end of his career, because once he got to Chicago, he finished 10-10 with a 3.32 ERA before getting jettisoned to the Rangers two seasons later.

The package they received wasn’t pretty either – Mike Olt, Justin Grimm, C.J. Edwards, and Neil Ramirez all of whom have played a combined total of 220 games in the major leagues.

Next: 22: Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays

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