Fansided

The absolute worst trade in the history of every MLB team

By Tim Boyle

COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 26: Inductees John Smoltz and Randy Johnson enjoy the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26, 2015 in Cooperstown, New York. Johnson was inducted with Pedro Martinez,Craig Biggio and John Smoltz (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 26: Inductees John Smoltz and Randy Johnson enjoy the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26, 2015 in Cooperstown, New York. Johnson was inducted with Pedro Martinez,Craig Biggio and John Smoltz (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Worst trade in Detroit Tigers history
24 Oct 1996: Pitcher John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch during the Braves 1-0 loss to the the New York Yankees in game five of the World Series at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn/Allsport /

Worst trade in Detroit Tigers history: John Smoltz to the Atlanta Braves

In August of 1987, the Detroit Tigers traded a young pitcher named John Smoltz to the Atlanta Braves for veteran Doyle Alexander. Alexander had an incredible 11 starts for the Tigers in 1987, going 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA. Unfortunately, he was already in his late 30s and would spend only two more seasons in the big leagues.

Smoltz would make his MLB debut in 1988 with some sour results. Luckily, he had many more seasons ahead of him. He was an All-Star in 1989 as a sophomore and would end up winning 213 major league games—most of them with the Braves.

A member of the Cooperstown elite, Smoltz even managed to turn himself into a successful closer for several seasons following an injury. Maybe more impressive, he went back to starting and was great again! The trade may have helped the Tigers for one season. Smoltz helped the Braves for nearly two full decades.

Worst trade in Houston Astros history: Joe Morgan to the Cincinnati Reds

You can’t talk about the Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds clubs without mentioning Joe Morgan. He arrived just in time for the fun via trade with the Houston Astros. When he joined the Reds, he became a superstar. He was the National League MVP in 1975 and 1976.

The full trade was not one you’d typically find a Hall of Famer involved in, especially when he already had a lot of years under his belt. Along with Morgan, the Astros included Ed Armbrister, Jack Billingham, Cesar Geronimo, and Denis Menke.

In return, Tommy Helms, Lee May, and Jimmy Stewart went to Houston. It was not a wonderful life for the front office when they saw what Morgan would become.

Worst trade in Kansas City Royals history: David Cone to the New York Mets and then to the Toronto Blue Jays

The Kansas City Royals had David Cone under their thumb for not one but two different tenures. After the 1986 season, they traded him and Chris Jelic to the New York Mets for Rick Anderson, Mauro Gozzo, and Ed Hearn.

Cone would begin his career with the Mets the very next season and in 1988, he was 20-3 with a 2.22 ERA. He’d continue to pitch successfully while the Royals didn’t get much from the players they acquired in the deal.

You could claim that was the worst Royals trade ever or pivot to the next time they traded Cone. After again acquiring him, the Royals said farewell in 1995 when they traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays for Tony Medrano, Dave Sinnes, and Chris Stynes. Only Stynes would ever even play in the major leagues.

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