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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Boston Red Sox

The most brilliant trade that the Boston Red Sox ever made was the one that netted them arguably their most dominant MLB pitcher ever, Pedro Martinez. Boston trade for the Montreal Expos starting pitcher and gave up virtually nothing. Carl Pavano signed a horrible contract with the Yankees. Other than his three years with the Marlins, that’s the most relevant thing that he did in the MLB after being traded to the Expos. Tony Armas pitched eight years for the Expos franchise but was mediocre at best. Pedro Martinez took the Red Sox to the World Series in 2004.

It’s more than just the World Series. When the Red Sox traded for Martinez, they got arguably the most dominant six year run ever out of an MLB starting pitcher. From 1998 to 2003, he owned the league’s lowest ERA in four of those six seasons. That’s despite being injured in 2001. He also led the league in strikeouts three times during that stretch. Martinez won two American League Cy Young Awards, placed second twice, and placed third.

Pedro Martinez gave the Red Sox the legitimate ace that they had lacked since getting rid of Roger Clemens. Martinez was arguably better than Clemens in his prime. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is still beloved in Boston.

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