Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline: Top 25 midseason deals of all-time

By Nicholas Ian Allen

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: Yoenis Cespedes (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: Yoenis Cespedes (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 30: Jeff Bagwell gives his induction speech at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 30, 2017 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 30: Jeff Bagwell gives his induction speech at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 30, 2017 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

21. Astros acquire Jeff Bagwell, August 30, 1990

Looking for help in the bullpen, the Boston Red Sox traded a prospect to the Astros for Larry Anderson. The move worked in the short term. The 37-year-old Anderson posted a 1.23 ERA in 22 innings across 15 appearances for Boston, helping the Red Sox win the American League East and advance to the ALCS.

However, since the prospect in the deal was Jeff Bagwell, the trade is often cited as one of the most lopsided in major league history.

Recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, Bagwell began his professional career as a third baseman before moving across the infield. He made his major league debut with the Astros in 1991, and won Rookie of the Year honors after hitting .294/.387/.437 with 15 home runs and 82 RBI.

Bagwell finished in the top 20 of the NL MVP vote in both of his next two seasons, and won the award during the strike-shortened 1994 season. Bagwell was also named an All-Star, Gold Glove winner and Silver Slugger in 1994. He led the NL with 104 runs scored and a 1.201 OPS and led the majors with a .750 slugging percentage and 116 RBI. Bagwell, whose lack of home runs in the minors was credited as part of the reason Boston traded him, hit 39 home runs as well.

Overall, Bagwell hit .297/.408/.540 with 449 home runs in 15 major league seasons – all with the Astros. He was a four-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and earned MVP votes 10 times.

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