Fansided

Each MLB team’s best trade ever

By Joshua Sadlock

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers takes a swing during an at-bat in a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 19, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 6-2. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers takes a swing during an at-bat in a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 19, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 6-2. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – 1913: Christy Mathewson, Hall of Fame pitcher for the New York Giants, poses for a portrait in 1913 in the Polo Grounds, in New York City. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – 1913: Christy Mathewson, Hall of Fame pitcher for the New York Giants, poses for a portrait in 1913 in the Polo Grounds, in New York City. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images) /

San Francisco Giants: Christy Mathewson from the Reds, 1900

  • New York Giants receive: Christy Mathewson
  • Reds receive: Amos Rusie

We will touch on two trades here, one from the franchises New York days and one a bit more modern. Christy Mathewson, one of the best pitchers in the history of baseball, initially signed with the New York Giants coming out of Bucknell University in July of 1900. The Cincinnati Reds snapped him up in that year’s Rule 5 Draft, but then traded him back to the Giants almost immediately.

Amos Rusie was one of the best, forgotten pitchers of the Dead Ball Era and eventually claimed a spot in Cooperstown. He was an old-time version of Nolan Ryan and one of the hardest throwers of the 1890s, but by the 1901 season, his career was on its last legs. Arm troubles and personal issues had forced Rusie to miss the entire 1899 and 1900 seasons. By the time he got to the Reds, Rusie was only able to pitch in three games before calling it a career.

Mathewson won 373 games over his 17-year MLB career. He won two pitching Triple Crowns, five ERA titles, the 1905 World Series and had three seasons with an ERA below 1.50. Mathewson’s ERA of 1.14 in 1909 is one of the five-lowest marks in MLB history.

In more modern times, the best trade the Giants have made was acquiring second baseman Jeff Kent from the Indians for Matt Williams. Kent would develop into one of the best offensive second basemen in MLB history. Had he courted the media more throughout his career, Kent would already be a Hall of Famer.

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