Worst trade ever: a young Nolan Ryan ofthe Mets for an aging Jim Fregosi of the Angels

Mariners trade Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek for Heathcliffe Slocumb (1997)
doesn't anybody remember how bad Slocumb was? the Red Sox got two championships out of this deal.

also, how about Sparky Lyle to the Yankees for Danny Cater? what a dumbass move that turned out to be for the Red Sox, who made several classic boners before the recent years.

...not to mention that the Red Sox couldn't postmark Carlton Fisk's contract properly prior to him joining the White Sox?

Clearly the author is referring to recent trades, when the trade deadline and massive big player trades are done regularly. Not many trades happened in those days. That being said this is still a horrible list not to include Babe Ruth. But the Red Sox did another one a decade before. The great Cy Young was traded from the Red Sox to the Cleveland Naps for Charlie Chech, Jack Ryan and $12,500 in 1909. In his last 2 big league years Cy Young was 26-15 with a 2.40 ERA after that trade. Not to shabby for the most durable pitcher and arguably the best of that time. The did pitch many more innings and more often as well. Both Charlie Chech and Jack Ryan only pitched through 1909 in the big leagues.

I got one better. Christy Mathewson was traded by the Cincinatti Reds to the New York Giants for Amos Rusie in 1900. Mathewson went on to be the most dominant pitcher of the turn of the century and part of the first hall of fame class. Amos Rusie pitched 3 games in 1901 and was out of baseball. Now that is an awful trade. Possible worse than Ruths.

How bout Joe DiMaggio traded from San Francisco (PCL) to the Yankees for Doc Farrell, Floyd Newkirk, Jim Densmore, and Ted Norbert and $5000 cash. Huh, huh. I can go all day!!! Doesn't anyone who makes these lists do research!!!???????

Im batting 1.000 going 4 for 4. How bout Honus Wagner. Traded by the Louisville Colonels with Fred Clarke, Bert Cunningham, Mike Kelley, Tacks Latimer, Tommy Leach, Tom Messitt, Deacon Phillippe, Claude Ritchey, Rube Waddell, Jack Wadsworth and Chief Zimmer to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jack Chesbro, Paddy Fox, Art Madison, John O'Brien and $25,000. None of you researchers can touch me!!!!

Jimmie Foxx was traded by the Philadelphia Athletics with Johnny Marcum to the Boston Red Sox for George Savino (minors), Gordon Rhodes and $150,000 IN 1935. he only hit 240 more home runs after that trade in 10 more big league years...

In 1981 the Phillies traded All-Start Shortstop Larry Bowa and a prospect to the Chicago Cubs for Ivan DeJesus. The prospect??? None other than Ryne Sandberg. All because Larry wore himself out with the front office. He'd do that later in his career as well.

Do you people want to know the absolute worst trade in all of Baseball??? Players trading their integrity for steroids and then wanting fans to believe their performance is Natural!!!

Lou Brock from the Cubs to the Cards

1965 - Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles, in exchange for the pitchers Milt Pappas and Jack Baldschun and the outfielder Dick Simpson.

Controversy over the decision clouded Pappas’ arrival in Cincinnati, and he ended up pitching for the Reds for just two-and-a-half seasons, leaving with a 30-9 record. Baldschun and Simpson both left after only two seasons, Baldschun with a 1-5 record and Simpson with batting averages of .238 and .259. In contrast, Robinson dazzled during his first season in Baltimore, winning the Triple Crown--most home runs (49), most runs batted in (122), and best batting average (.316)--and leading the Orioles to their first World Series win, an upset victory over Sandy Koufax and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Capturing the American League and World Series MVP that year, Robinson became the first player to win MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues. Robinson remained with the Orioles until 1971, winning another World Series in 1970--over the Reds. He retired in 1976 with 586 career home runs, the fourth-highest total at that time.

Anyone who knows the history of baseball, knows that the Babe Ruth trade was the worst ever. Look at the results. The Yankees became the greatest team in the history of baseball (1937 especially) and the Red Sox got a jinx that lasted most of the last century. By the way, when was the writter of this article born, and has he ever read a book about baseball history?

Doyle Alexander(played for another year os so) for John Smoltz (Played for many years; HoFer)

What a joke.

I just wish people would get the facts right:

1. Ruth was SOLD, not traded. Worst deal in history? YES. Worst Trade? NO. The question was what was the worst TRADE.
2. Ruth was NOT SOLD TO FINANCE NO,NO, NANETTE. That show opend on Broadway in 1925, Ruth was sold to the Yanks in 1919. He was sold because He was driving the Red Sox managment crazy with his tantrums and antics on and off the field.

Lets see!!!rookie of year Lou Pinnella 4 a old pitcher. Lou Brock 4 old catcher.Carlton 4 Wise. The Babe fiasco! Cone 4 Hearn. etc etc etc Wish I was a G.M. Would dump some of these Royals OFF on somebody.

gotta be sosa from rangers for players who didnt want to be in texas

Not a trade. Cubs fail to resign Greg Maddox. Got nothing in return.

you want bad trades i'll give you two! they both involve the cubs and phillies. talk about getting fleeced. Both players turned out to be all-time greats and hall of famers. How about Ferguson Jenkins for Larry Jackson and Bob Buhl. (who ? ) Fergie only went on to be one of the best pitchers of all time. How about this one Ryne Sandberg and Larry Bowa for Ivan Dejesus! Ryne Sandberg is only one of the top three secondbaseman of all-time !!

Ed Hearn for D. Cone Ruth for money for a play, F.Robinson for Pappas, Ryan for Fregosi,Brock for Ernie boy some dumb trades! lol And not in any order all were dumb.But history says look what happened 2 both teams after the Babe fiasco!! And I am cubs fan (drat ).