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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Sep 27, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson reacts as he is doused with ice water by teammates after hitting a home run in the ninth inning to give the Jays a 5-4 win over Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson reacts as he is doused with ice water by teammates after hitting a home run in the ninth inning to give the Jays a 5-4 win over Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

22: Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays

The trade: Blue Jays receive Josh Donaldson.

Oakland receives Brett Lawrie, Kendall Graveman, Franklin Barreto, Sean Nolin.

If not for Moneyball, Billy Beane would probably be out of a job because of this trade. It’s not as if Donaldson became an overnight sensation in Toronto. He was already a highly regarded player, but his 2015 season with Toronto was a breakout year for the AL MVP winner when he, Bautista, and Encarnacion formed the most feared trio in all of baseball.

Donaldson also became the first player to win the MVP right after being traded since 1984 when Willie Hernandez got traded to the Phillies. Donaldson set career highs in home runs (44), RBIs (131), and runs scored (142). He was so good that even Angels fans chanted MVP when he stepped up to bat.

Brett Lawrie’s season, meanwhile, was characterized by at-bats such as this. Lawrie’s time with the Jays was defined by his short temper and extensive injury history, both of which carried over to the Athletics.

The Jays did give up three prospects in Graveman, Barreto, and Sean Nolin which can come back to haunt a team. The Athletics’ only hope of winning this deal is if they can develop these three prospects into budding stars, but as long as Donaldson is still in the prime of his career, the Jays came away big winners in this trade.

Next: 21: Jose Bautista to the Blue Jays

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