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: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Cubs

The Jake Arrieta trade is a great way to get Baltimore Orioles’ fans ticked off. Man did the Chicago Cubs take advantage of the Orioles in that trade. Arrieta, who was never able to blossom with the Orioles for a variety of reasons, has dominated so far with the Cubs. He won the National League Cy Young award in 2015 and seems prepared to defend that title in 2016. Arrieta has realized his potential as one of the best starting pitchers in the MLB in Chicago.

Best of all, the Cubs gave up virtually nothing of value for Arrieta and relief pitcher Pedro Strop. Feldman only pitched for the Orioles for a few months while Steve Clevenger was at best the Orioles’ third best catcher (though they did manage to trade him for Mark Trumbo).

Even if you want to argue that the Orioles got Trumbo in return for Arrieta and Strop (technically they did), that still makes the trade an awful one for the Orioles and a brilliant one for the Cubs. Whether or not Arrieta would have panned out for the Orioles is irrelevant. The Orioles almost wasted Arrieta’s entire career. Luckily, the Cubs revived it and they are still reaping the benefits for doing so.

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