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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BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 16: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles stands on third base during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 16, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 16: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles stands on third base during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 16, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Orioles: Adam Jones and Chris Tillman from the Mariners, 2008

  • Orioles get: Adam Jones, Chris Tillman, George Sherrill, Kam Mickolio, Tony Butler
  • Seattle Mariners get: Erik Bedard

There aren’t many five-for-one trades in MLB these days, and probably for good reason. This trade single-handedly helped put the Orioles back on the path to winning. Adam Jones blossomed into an All-Star and the heart and soul of the franchise. Chris Tillman has been the most consistent presence in the rotation, an All-Star and is 66-38 since fully establishing himself in the big leagues in 2012. The Orioles also got an All-Star year out of closer George Sherrill.

Jones was the centerpiece of the trade when it was completed, and he will go down as one of the greatest Orioles ever to wear orange and black. In 10 years with the Orioles, Jones has made five All-Star Games, won four Gold Gloves in center field and claimed one Silver Slugger. He has also had two 30-homer seasons and could add a third this year. Jones is a fringe Hall of Fame candidate depending on his longevity in the second half of his career. He has already topped 1,500 hits and is most comparable to Hall of Famer Andrew Dawson through his age-30 season.

Tillman has been a rock in the Orioles rotation, serving as the de facto ace for a staff desperately in need of one. He has mostly managed to outpitch the peripheral numbers thanks to his ability to get weak contact on flyballs. Tillman began dealing with shoulder issues in the second half of the 2016 season, but has still given the Orioles far more than Bedard gave the Mariners.

The Orioles traded Erik Bedard after he led the major leagues in strikeouts per nine and went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA. He pitched parts of three seasons with Seattle, but could never stay healthy. Bedard went 15-14 for the Mariners with a 3.31 ERA, but only made 45 starts. They eventually flipped him to the Boston Red Sox in a trade that netted no impact MLB players.

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