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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Oakland Athletics

After Rollie Fingers left the Oakland Athletics, the A’s must have missed having an epic mustached pitcher in the bullpen because 11 years later in 1987, the A’s traded for starting pitcher Dennis Eckersley and inserted him in the bullpen. Before Eckersley came to Oakland, he had 359 career starts. He had just two his first year in Oakland before a permanent move to the bullpen turned him into one of the most dominant closers of all-time and a Hall of Famer.

Oakland gave up three minor league players for Eckersley and his pal Rohn. In fact, none of the trio of the players that the Cubs received even played one MLB game. Eckersley was a workhorse in Oakland, making at least 50 appearances in all but one of his nine years with the Athletics. He led the league in saves three times, winning the American League Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player Award in 1992.

The Eckersley trade helped the Athletics make three consecutive World Series appearances from 1988 to 1990 and played a huge role in them winning the World Series in 1989. Oakland took advantage of the Cubs in the Eckersley trade. Meanwhile, the Eckersley trade set the Chicago Cubs back a few years.

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