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 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs hall of fame infielder Ryne Sandberg throws out the ceremonial first pitch before game three of the NLDS between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs hall of fame infielder Ryne Sandberg throws out the ceremonial first pitch before game three of the NLDS between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

4: Ryne Sandberg to the Cubs

The trade: Chicago Cubs received Ryne Sandberg and Larry Bowa

Philadelphia received Ivan DeJesus

Larry Bowa spent four seasons with the Cubs and brought a veteran presence to the clubhouse. He was meant to fill in for Ivan DeJesus, and he posted a respectable .247 batting average.

Ryne Sandberg, considered a throw-in during the trade, made an immediate impact for the Cubs. He won the NL MVP in 1984 and was a Gold Glove winner for 9 consecutive seasons. He spent 15 seasons in Chicago and had a career .284 batting average to go along with 282 home runs and 2,836 hits. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

As noted before, Sandberg was a throw-in, as this trade was meant to be a swap of shortstops Larry Bowa and Ivan DeJesus. Even though DeJesus had a disastrous season with the Cubs prior to the deal (he hit .194), the Phillies still viewed him as an upgrade over the aging Larry Bowa. He was, but not much of one. He only stuck around for three seasons with the Phillies, while his batting average was a less than stellar .249. The Phillies won the pennant in 1983, but that’s all DeJesus had going for him.

Next: 3: Pedro Martinez to the Expos

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