Fansided

Top 25 MLB trades of all time

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Pitcher Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a game at Citi Field on April 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Pitcher Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a game at Citi Field on April 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/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) /

13. Adam Jones and Chris Tillman to the Orioles, 2008

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

Baltimore Orioles fans of different generations will have differing views on the two biggest trades in franchise history. First, there was the Frank Robinson trade in 1966 that helped bring the first World Series title to Baltimore. Over 40 years later, Adam Jones and Chris Tillman came to town, in the midst of a long, ugly stretch of losing.

Jones became the unofficial captain of the Orioles almost from the moment he suited up in black and orange. Sure, he’s never met a first-pitch slider in the dirt that he didn’t like, but Jones’ personality and leadership, coupled with Buck Showalter, transformed a losing clubhouse and helped turn the Orioles into a playoff team. Jones is a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glover in center field. He is closing in on 1,600 hits and 250 home runs as his 10th full season in the big leagues heads into the second half.

Tillman is not an “ace” in the true sense of the word, but he give the Orioles what they need more often than not. He has two 16-win seasons for the O’s and made the All-Star Game in 2013. Tillman was on track for a 20-win season in 2016 before a shoulder injury in the second half flared up. Since that injury, Tillman has not been the same. He is 1-7 with an ERA over 8.00 through 15 starts in 2017.

The arrival of Manny Machado in 2012 would have guaranteed the Orioles a shot at winning, but they do not get there without Jones and Tillman. Considering how little Erik Bedard gave the Seattle Mariners, this trade has to be included among the top-25 deals in MLB history.

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