Baseball fans are quick to name their team’s best, and worst trade of all time. But rarely can they ever point out a time where a trade benefited both teams involved.
There are often winners and losers from each trade, rarely are there any times where both franchises benefit from a trade. But when a trade benefits both teams it is a wonderful sight to see. In no particular order, here are ten MLB trades that were win-win for both teams.
10. 2008 trade between the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers
In 2008, the then Cleveland Indians traded three-time All-star pitcher CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers, in exchange for five players from Milwaukee. Sabathia collected eleven wins as the pitcher for Milwaukee and helped lead the team to a playoff berth. From that same trade, the Indians received a handful of starting players, including All-star outfielder Michael Brantley. That year, Cleveland posted with a winning record.
9. 1997 trade between Seattle and Houston
In 1997 the Seattle Mariners traded then, five-time All-star pitcher Randy Johnson to the Houston Astros in exchange for Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen, and John Halama. Johnson posted ten wins as the starting pitcher for Houston, and made a deep playoff run with the Astros. As for Seattle, Freddy Garcia racked up two All-star selections, while Guillen, and Halama had successful careers in Seattle. All three players were members of the Mariners’ 2001 season, where the Mariners recorded 116 wins, the most in franchise history, tied for the most in MLB History.
8. 1992 trade between Texas and Oakland
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José Canseco was traded from the Oakland Athletics to Texas Rangers. Canseco was a five-time All-star outfielder, and designated hitter before being traded to the Rangers in 1992. In exchange for Canseco, Oakland received outfielder Ruben Sierra, and pitchers Jeff Russell and Bobby Witt. Sierra had three All-star selections under his belt before being traded to Oakland and racked up his fourth All-star nod in 1994. Witt and Jeff Russell both pitched for Oakland, and helped the team finish first in the AL West in 1992.
7. 2018 trade between Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh
In 2018, The Tampa Bay Rays traded Pitcher Chris Archer to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, and Shane Baz. Archer already had two All-star appearances under his belt, and played for Pittsburgh for two years, adding solid depth to their bullpen. Meanwhile, Glasnow, Meadows, and Baz are still young payers, but have shown potential to become solid players in the MLB.
6. 2015 trade between Arizona And Atlanta
In 2015, Shelby Miller had earned his first All-star selection, and the Atlanta Braves used that opportunity to make a trade. The Braves traded Miller, and Minor Leaguer Gabe Speier to the Arizona Diamond Backs in exchange for Dansby Swanson, Ender Inciarte, and Aaron Blair. This is regarded as a win-win, because Arizona received a young pitcher who has proven themselves in the Major league, and The Atlanta Braves acquired a handful of young defensive studs that have helped the Braves improve.
5. 2007 trade between Atlanta and Texas
In 2007 the Atlanta braves received Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay from the Texas Rangers in exchange for five players to bolster their roster. While the Rangers did trade away a young promising prospect in Teixeira, they received a huge trade package that ultimately helped the team build their program into competitors in the AL West.
4. 2017 trade Between Houston and Detroit
In 2017 the Houston Astros received pitcher, Justin Verlander in exchange for minor league pitcher Franklin Pérez, young Outfielder Daz Cameron, and Catcher Jake Rogers. Verlander helped the Houston Astros win the 2017 world series, while Detroit received a trade package of young players that were used to bolster the team’s minor league program.
3. 1992 trade between Toronto and New York Mets
In 1992 the Toronto Blue Jays won the world series, with a little help from a trade with the Mets earlier in the season. The Blue Jays traded for pitcher, David Cone in exchange for Jeff Kent and a draft pick that ended up being outfielder Ryan Thompson. As mentioned, Cone assisted the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1992 World Series run, while New York ended up with two players that solidified themselves as legitimate batters in the MLB.
2. 2016 Trade between Chicago and New York Yankees
In 2016 the Cubs made history, winning the world series for the first time in over a century. Relief Pitcher Aroldis Chapman was a key part of this championship run, and was traded to Chicago from the Yankees in 2017. In exchange for Aroldis, the Yankees received top prospect, and two-time All-star Gleyber Torres, along with Adam Warren.
1. 2017 Trade Between Arizona and Milwaukee
The 2017 Arizona Diamondbacks received outfielder J.D Martinez from Milwaukee in exchange for Domingo Santana and a handful of minor league players that helped to bolster the Brewers’ minor league program. Martinez ended up having a large impact on the Diamondbacks’ offense, hitting 29 home runs and 65 RBIs in 2017. Santana ended up spending four years in Milwaukee and was a reliable piece in Milwaukee’s batting order.
