MLB Power Rankings: Each team’s best trade ever

PHOENIX, UNITED STATES: Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Luis Gonzalez (R) celebrates his game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 9th inning off of New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera (42) during Game 7 of the World Series in Phoenix, AZ, 04 November, 2001. The Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees 3-2, winning the series four games to three and become the 2001 world champions. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) /

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001 in large part because of two MLB trades that they made. They acquired Curt Schilling from the Phillies for a relatively cheap price. Schilling, along with Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, carried Arizona’s pitching staff to the title. However, the hero of the World Series was outfielder Luis Gonzalez, who they got from the Tigers in exchange for outfielder Karim Garcia in December of 1998.

Arizona took a bit of a chance of Gonzalez, as the 30 year old outfielder had a career high of 23 homers before the trade. However, being traded to Arizona boosted Gonzalez’s numbers. In 1999, he hit 26 homers with a .336 batting average while leading the National League in hits with 206. 2001 was his best season. He had 57 home runs, a .325 batting average, a .429 on base percentage, and a .688 slugging percentage as he got the walkoff hit off Yankees closer Mariano Rivera to win the World Series in Game 7.

Meanwhile, Garcia would barely last 100 games with the Tigers. Detroit severely misjudged Gonzalez, believing that his best years were behind him. Arizona was either wise enough or lucky enough to get Gonzalez whose best years were ahead of him. The Gonzalez trade helped Arizona become a top tier MLB team and win the 2001 World Series.

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