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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HOUSTON – OCTOBER 18: Carlos Beltran #15 of the Houston Astros celebrates while rounding the bases after Jeff Kent’s walk-off three-run home run against Jason Isringhausen #44 of the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series October 18, 2004 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Cardinals 3-0 to take a 3-2 series lead. (Photo By Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
HOUSTON – OCTOBER 18: Carlos Beltran #15 of the Houston Astros celebrates while rounding the bases after Jeff Kent’s walk-off three-run home run against Jason Isringhausen #44 of the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series October 18, 2004 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Cardinals 3-0 to take a 3-2 series lead. (Photo By Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

20. Carlos Beltran to the Astros, 2004

  • Astros get: Carlos Beltran (from Royals)
  • Royals get: Mark Teahan, Mike Wood (from A’s), John Buck (from Astros)
  • Athletics get: Octavio Dotel (from Astros)

Nearing the end of what should be a Hall of Fame career, Carlos Beltran has made a reputation for himself as one of the most valuable hitters a contender can have on their roster. He has been traded at the deadline to a contender three times in his 20-year career. His reputation is warranted; Beltran is a career .323/.432/.646 hitter in the playoffs.

Beltran got his first chance to play in the postseason in 2004 when he was freed from the small-market Kansas City Royals and sent to the Houston Astros in a three-team deal. His 90 games in the regular season were great. Beltran hit .258/.368/.559 with 17 doubles, 23 home runs and 28 stolen bases.

Things really got going for Beltran in the playoffs where he hit eight home runs in two rounds. The Astros came up just short of the World Series, losing in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals (with whom Beltran would later go to the World Series with). Brad Lidge cost Beltran a chance to be World Series MVP that year. In 12 playoff games, Beltran hit .434/.536/1.022 with three doubles, eight home runs, 14 RBI, six steals and nine walks.

After the season ended, Beltran parlayed his playoff performance into a massive and ill-fated deal with the New York Mets. Knee injuries sapped him of his speed and well-rounded game, but Beltran has remained a professional hitter who is closing in on 2,700 hits and 450 home runs.

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