The 30 worst trades in MLB history
By David Rouben
3: Pedro Martinez to the Expos
The trade: Montreal received Pedro Martinez
Los Angeles Dodgers received Delino DeShields
Delino DeShields Jr. currently plays for the Texas Rangers, but he is likely reminded constantly of the lopsided deal his father was a part of. DeShields filled a need at second base for the Dodgers after Jody Reed left. Once he came to the Dodgers, his batting average slipped from .277 to .241 and he only spent three seasons in LA before he left for free agency.
Despite the fact that Pedro Martinez went 10-5 with a 2.61 ERA for the Dodgers, the team never believed he could become a starter. But once he was dealt to the Expos, he moved into the starting rotation and amassed an 11-5 record with a 3.42 ERA. Martinez would later win the NL Cy Young in 1997 and he finished his career with the Expos with a 17-8 record and a 1.90 ERA. Sure he accomplished more once they sent him to Boston, but it was with the Expos that Pedro Martinez became a superstar.
Wait a second. The Expos made a good trade? Something must be wrong. They must’ve made an equally bad trade to permanently destabilize their franchise.
Next: 2: Cliff Lee to the Indians