The absolute worst trade in the history of every MLB team
By Tim Boyle
Worst trade in Los Angeles Angels history: Dante Bichette to the Milwaukee Brewers
If you forgot about Dante Bichette’s time with the Angels—representing all of California at the time—don’t worry. You didn’t miss much.
Bichette began his career there but before the 1991 season, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Dave Parker. As great as he was in his prime, Parker was in the final season of his career and about to hit just .232/.279/.358 for the Angels in 501 plate appearances.
Bichette wouldn’t blossom until he joined the Colorado Rockies. Nevertheless, the Angels moved on from him too quickly and didn’t get much at all in return for a guy with some true 1990s power.
Worst trade in Los Angeles Dodgers history: Pedro Martinez to the Montreal Expos
Pedro Martinez got off to a promising start with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1992 and 1993. So to see them trade him so quickly comes as a bit of a surprise. We know the stud he would end up becoming. Well before this occurred, the Dodgers decided to move on.
The future three-time Cy Young winner was traded in exchange for a single player, Delino DeShields. He was a below-average second baseman for the Dodgers during his three seasons with the team, mostly providing them with some speed and decent OBP numbers.
Compared to Martinez, DeShields doesn’t come close. To think the Dodgers had so many young stars during the decade and still managed to trade Martinez away before reaching his prime.
Worst trade in Miami Marlins history: Trading Miguel Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers
The Miami Marlins have made some massive blunders with trades. After both of their World Series wins, they went into sell mode. One player who stuck around a little longer was Miguel Cabrera. A rookie back in 2003, the Marlins didn’t trade him until after the 2007 season.
Cabrera had already become one of the league’s best hitters and he was about to get even better. Now a member of the 500 home run club and bound for the Hall of Fame, he’s going to go into Cooperstown with over 3,000 hits as well and a batting average over .300.
Trading him for just about anything didn’t make much sense but as the Marlins do, it was time to rebuild. Along with Dontrelle Willis, Cabrera headed to Detroit for Dallas Trahern, Burke Badenhop, Frankie De La Cruz, Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, and Mike Rabelo. None became stars with the fish.