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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 9: Kenny Lofton #7 of the Cleveland Indians steals second base during the 67th MLB All-Star game against the National League at Veterans Stadium on Tuesday, July 9, 1996 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tom DiPace/MLB Photos)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 9: Kenny Lofton #7 of the Cleveland Indians steals second base during the 67th MLB All-Star game against the National League at Veterans Stadium on Tuesday, July 9, 1996 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tom DiPace/MLB Photos) /

Cleveland Indians: Kenny Lofton from the Astros, 1991

  • Indians get: Kenny Lofton, Dave Rohde
  • Houston Astros get: Willie Blair, Ed Taubensee

The Indians have one of the best trade records dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s of any team in Major League Baseball. Half of their roster during the run of dominance in the 1990s was built through trades, with the Indians often coming out way ahead of their partners in the deals. Important players like Sandy Alomar Jr, Omar Vizquel and Carlos Baerga all came to Cleveland via trade.

None of the trades top the theft of Kenny Lofton, one of the best leadoff men of his generation. From 1992 to 2001, Lofton ravaged the American League, setting the table for one of the most dominant lineups baseball has ever seen. During his 10 years with the Indians, Lofton batted an even .300 with 244 doubles, 66 triples, 87 home runs, 518 RBI, over 450 steals and nearly as many walks as strikeouts.

From 1992 to 1996, Lofton led MLB in stolen bases four times. He made six straight trips to the All-Star Games from 1994 to 1999 and finished his career with nearly 2,500 hits, deserving much more consideration for the Hall of Fame. It’s crazy that he fell off the ballot after only one try, but playing in the Steroid Era may have cost him. Lofton was just as good as Tim Raines, who finally got in with the 2017 HOF class.

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