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MLB Power Rankings: Each team’s best trade ever

By Dave Stevenson

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)
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: Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Focus on Sport/Getty Images /

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles were an excellent MLB team in 1965. However, their lineup lacked a killer bat. Someone that opposing pitchers would fear. That’s why the Orioles made a very bold move during the 1965 MLB offseason, acquiring Frank Robinson from the Reds in exchange for promising pitcher Milt Pappas, outfielder Dick Simpson, and pitcher Jack Baldschun. The Reds believed that Robinson’s best years in baseball were behind him. Boy were they ever wrong.

From the moment Robinson stepped in the batter’s box for the Orioles, the Orioles knew that they found that presence in the lineup. Robinson was out to prove the Reds wrong and he did exactly that in 1966, when he won the Triple Crown. He was also named the American League Most Valuable Player as he helped the Orioles beat the Los Angeles Dodgers for the franchise’s first ever World Series title.

Robinson, along with future Hall of Famers Earl Weaver, Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson, led the Orioles to being one of the best teams in the American League until Robinson was traded after the 1971 season. He helped the Orioles beat his old team the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970 World Series too.

Pappas wound up being unable to live up to the pressure of being the guy traded for a Triple Crown winner while Simpson and Baldschun would each play two very forgettable seasons with the Reds. This trade lifted the Orioles to being one of the best MLB teams for years to come and hurt the Reds long-term.

Next: Boston Red Sox

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