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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 30
Next
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 28: Paul Konerko #14 of the Chicago White Sox in the fourth inning of play against the Kansas City Royals on September 28, 2014 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 28: Paul Konerko #14 of the Chicago White Sox in the fourth inning of play against the Kansas City Royals on September 28, 2014 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) /

Chicago White Sox: Paul Konerko from the Reds, 1998

  • White Sox get: Paul Konerko
  • Cincinnati Reds get: Mike Cameron

Traded twice in the year 1998, Paul Konerko was looking for a home when he landed in Chicago with the White Sox. He found it at first base in the Windy City, where he would play for 16 years while becoming one of the most beloved stars in franchise history.

Konerko made six All-Star teams and was a key part of the 2005 team that ended a long World Series drought. He hit five home runs in the playoffs that year and was the MVP of the ALCS. For his entire White Sox career, Konerko hit 432 home runs and recorded nearly all of his 2,340 MLB hits. He retired in 2014 with a lifetime slash line of .279/.354/.486.

This ended up being an entirely fair trade for both teams. The Reds would go on to flip Cameron to the Seattle Mariners for Ken Griffey Jr. Cameron came back to hit four home runs against the White Sox, but his overall career was not as strong as Konerko’s.

The White Sox have a history of making smart baseball trades, and they now have a bright future after management decided to enter a full rebuild, netting top prospects like Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito, Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease and Blake Rutherford.

Home/MLB