What are the Worst Trades in Sports History?
- Thread starter Say Hey Kid
- Start date
Shanghai Shenhua allegedly paid Carlos Tevez over 40 million USD for the 20 matches in which he scored four goals with sub-zero effort. And that's before the transfer fee that reputable sources claim was twice as high. Although I suppose the whole affair would be more accurately described as a scam or a heist.
MVP of West Hollywd
Registered User
- Oct 28, 2008
- 3,530
- 978
Harden to Rockets, OKC trading a blooming superstar for what ended up being two prospects out of top 10 (Lamb and Adams) and a fading good stats bad team guy in Kevin Martin
Pierce and Garnett to Nets for three 1sts which turned into Tatum, Brown, another late lotto pick they busted on in Langford, and the other traded for Kyrie
One of the worst sequences of all time to me is the 76ers in 1986 were in possession of the #1 pick, Barkley and 30 year old Moses. Part of why Lakers and Celtics were so good in the 80s is due to some reckless other GMs they managed to get their hands on number one picks when they were already good teams, Magic, Worthy and McHale/Parish (traded for #1 pick) additions were when the Lakers and Celtics already had Kareem and Bird on 50-60 win teams the previous seasons. The Sixers were given the same opportunity to be set up around Barkley and aging Moses and completely f'd it up leading to Barkley having nothing the rest of his prime with the Sixers until getting traded to Phoenix.
They trade the #1 pick for Roy Hinson who was a 3rd year player who averaged 19.6ppg but never averaged more than 15-16 pts after that and never made an all-star game in his career, and they trade Moses WITH two 1st round picks for Jeff Ruland and Cliff Robinson. Ruland was all star but they had bad luck injury wise and they got basically nothing out of him.
The 76ers up until 86 were one of the premiere franchises, not on Lakers and Celtics level but probably 3rd with success in Wilt era and immediate aftermath (65-70, including 67 champion and all time team) and then reloading with Dr J making the finals in 77, 80, 82 and winning in 83 after getting Moses. Their botch in 86 led to many decades of being just another team around people like Barkley and Iverson although if Embiid leads them to title it may return them to Wilt and Moses glory.
Pierce and Garnett to Nets for three 1sts which turned into Tatum, Brown, another late lotto pick they busted on in Langford, and the other traded for Kyrie
One of the worst sequences of all time to me is the 76ers in 1986 were in possession of the #1 pick, Barkley and 30 year old Moses. Part of why Lakers and Celtics were so good in the 80s is due to some reckless other GMs they managed to get their hands on number one picks when they were already good teams, Magic, Worthy and McHale/Parish (traded for #1 pick) additions were when the Lakers and Celtics already had Kareem and Bird on 50-60 win teams the previous seasons. The Sixers were given the same opportunity to be set up around Barkley and aging Moses and completely f'd it up leading to Barkley having nothing the rest of his prime with the Sixers until getting traded to Phoenix.
They trade the #1 pick for Roy Hinson who was a 3rd year player who averaged 19.6ppg but never averaged more than 15-16 pts after that and never made an all-star game in his career, and they trade Moses WITH two 1st round picks for Jeff Ruland and Cliff Robinson. Ruland was all star but they had bad luck injury wise and they got basically nothing out of him.
The 76ers up until 86 were one of the premiere franchises, not on Lakers and Celtics level but probably 3rd with success in Wilt era and immediate aftermath (65-70, including 67 champion and all time team) and then reloading with Dr J making the finals in 77, 80, 82 and winning in 83 after getting Moses. Their botch in 86 led to many decades of being just another team around people like Barkley and Iverson although if Embiid leads them to title it may return them to Wilt and Moses glory.
Last edited:
robertmac43
Forever 43!
- Mar 31, 2015
- 23,423
- 15,543
One that always stands out as bad is the Pedro Martinez Dodgers to Expos trade. Probably not the worst in history, but on the bad side!
The Real JT
No diving allowed
The Real JT
No diving allowed
Although it’s not a candidate for worst trade of all time, I’d put the Nets trade for Harden on the list.
They gave up 3 first round picks and gave Houston the right to swap first rounders in 4 other years.
Between that trade and management relying on flat earth Kyrie, the Nets won’t be seriously contending for 10 years.
MVP of West Hollywd
Registered User
- Oct 28, 2008
- 3,530
- 978
Actually it gets worse since since they gave up Jarrett Allen as well who made all star team this year and is exact type of player they need
But it depends if they actually get something out of Ben Simmons, if he becomes all star level player like he was for Philly, then their eventual return for Harden wasn't that bad. If he is unplayable from now on due to mental issues Harden for Simmons itself is one of the worst trades.
The Real JT
No diving allowed
Good point about Allen.
Harden forced the Nets hand which says a lot about himself. He’s a great talent but not a winner in my mind.
I hated the Nets trade to get Harden and wasn’t sad to see him go. Their return was always going to be pennies on the dollar compared with what they paid but if Simmons turns out to be a broken toy then the Nets are truly f’d.
Phillies trade future HoFer Ryne Sandberg and Larry Bowa to the Cubs for Ivan DeJesus.
January 27, 1982: Phillies make one of the worst trades in MLB history
They also made one of the best trades, trading Rick Wise for Steve Carlton.
January 27, 1982: Phillies make one of the worst trades in MLB history
They also made one of the best trades, trading Rick Wise for Steve Carlton.
MiamiScreamingEagles
Global Moderator
- Jan 17, 2004
- 71,254
- 48,224
There are so many trades that are overlooked and forgotten that are by definition lopsided.
One such trade is George Foster (CIN) for Vern Geishert and Frank Duffy (SF). Foster hit over 300 home runs following the trade, was an MVP, team Hall of Fame member and part of what is generally considered the best starting eight in the history of the NL. Duffy played 21 games before being traded again. Geishert never played in the majors following the trade.
A few months later, the Reds acquired Jack Billingham (one of the best PO pitchers in the 1970s), Joe Morgan (considered by many the best second baseman of all-time), Cesar Geronimo (multiple Gold Glove winner and generally considered the best defensive centerfielder in this era) and others from Houston for Tommy Helms (four seasons), Lee May (three season with Houston) and Jimmy Stewart (utility player for two seasons).
In summary, two trades brought George Foster, Joe Morgan, Cesar Geronimo and Jack Billingham for Tommy Helms and Lee May.
One such trade is George Foster (CIN) for Vern Geishert and Frank Duffy (SF). Foster hit over 300 home runs following the trade, was an MVP, team Hall of Fame member and part of what is generally considered the best starting eight in the history of the NL. Duffy played 21 games before being traded again. Geishert never played in the majors following the trade.
A few months later, the Reds acquired Jack Billingham (one of the best PO pitchers in the 1970s), Joe Morgan (considered by many the best second baseman of all-time), Cesar Geronimo (multiple Gold Glove winner and generally considered the best defensive centerfielder in this era) and others from Houston for Tommy Helms (four seasons), Lee May (three season with Houston) and Jimmy Stewart (utility player for two seasons).
In summary, two trades brought George Foster, Joe Morgan, Cesar Geronimo and Jack Billingham for Tommy Helms and Lee May.
Last edited:
DaaaaB's
Registered User
- Apr 24, 2004
- 8,397
- 1,951
Basically all the examples given in this thread are trades that turned out bad because a young unknown player became great. Most of them weren't considered bad trades at the time they made them. A real bad trade to me is one where its known commodities being traded and they're still lopsided. Like trading Pavel Buchnevich for Sammy Blais and a 2nd round pick for a recent example
MVP of West Hollywd
Registered User
- Oct 28, 2008
- 3,530
- 978
Washington trading Chris Webber for Mitch Richmond is pretty bad. Webber was 25, Richmond was 33. Trading Webber is more forgiveable than it seems in retrospect since he was seen as as a soft underperformer before he went to Sacramento and he overlapped with another high paid young big in Juwan Howard, but they went way too old with Richmond, and on a team that wasn't near contention.
MiamiScreamingEagles
Global Moderator
- Jan 17, 2004
- 71,254
- 48,224
Elway is bad, but doesn't belong here. Colts got Chris Hinton in return, who was a 7-time Pro-Bowler and 5-time All-Pro.
Third baseman Denis Menke came in the trade, but he was eventually replaced by Pete Rose. The fifth guy was Ed Armbrister. He hit a 10th inning SF to score Ken Griffey and win the series 3-0 against the Pirates. He was the hero that day on a team that won 108 games. He put the Reds into the 1975 World Series. He had 65 at bats during the regular season in 59 games hitting .185!
The Reds defeated Boston in seven games in one of the greatest World Series in my lifetime. They swept the Yankees in 1976. They were the first NL team to win back-to-back WS since the 1921 and 1922 NY Giants.
George Foster scored a key playoff run on a Wild Pitch when he was on 3rd Base in the 1972 PO series Game 5 against Pittsburgh's Bob Moose. Foster was a pinch runner for Tony Perez. Al Michaels said "Here comes Foster!" The Reds lost to Oakland in 7 closely contended games.
The 8 player trade got the Reds to 3 WS appearances, winning 2 of them. They also lost the 1970 WS to Baltimore.
Last edited:
NJDevs26
Once upon a time...
- Mar 21, 2007
- 67,397
- 31,706
My Whalers fan friend still rails against Eddie Johnston dealing off Ron Francis and Ulf Samuelsson to the Penguins, then leaving the Whalers for Pittsburgh shortly thereafter but it's not really worst trade ever territory, more like a
corrupt bargain.
The Ricky Williams trade everyone thought was horrendous on paper (and it was from a value management standpoint) but he had a solid pro career, and of all the picks that got dealt for him only LaVar Arrington had any kind of successful career.
Yeah most bad trades involve either a sale (Babe Ruth, Julius Erving, etc) or draft picks that hit the jackpot. Baseball, a real bad one was Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio, another was Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas. Nolan Ryan for Jim Fregosi was a beaut too. Football almost any big trade like Williams or Herschel Walker involves draft picks, especially in the cap era. Basketball it's hard to think of a latter-day one worse than the Harden trade given all the picks they gave up AND LaVert/Allen, and what little return they got for Harden + his resale value. That might even wind up being worse than the dubious Garnett and Pierce trade in Net history. Hockey it was never going to be possible to get equal value for Gretzky, or Patrick Roy when he stomped his feet and wanted out but both those deals were bad.
corrupt bargain.
The Ricky Williams trade everyone thought was horrendous on paper (and it was from a value management standpoint) but he had a solid pro career, and of all the picks that got dealt for him only LaVar Arrington had any kind of successful career.
Yeah most bad trades involve either a sale (Babe Ruth, Julius Erving, etc) or draft picks that hit the jackpot. Baseball, a real bad one was Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio, another was Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas. Nolan Ryan for Jim Fregosi was a beaut too. Football almost any big trade like Williams or Herschel Walker involves draft picks, especially in the cap era. Basketball it's hard to think of a latter-day one worse than the Harden trade given all the picks they gave up AND LaVert/Allen, and what little return they got for Harden + his resale value. That might even wind up being worse than the dubious Garnett and Pierce trade in Net history. Hockey it was never going to be possible to get equal value for Gretzky, or Patrick Roy when he stomped his feet and wanted out but both those deals were bad.
MiamiScreamingEagles
Global Moderator
- Jan 17, 2004
- 71,254
- 48,224
The Reds tried a few third basemen around the time of Menke but had difficulty with chemistry. Dan Driessen was there short-term but the man Rose replaced was actually John Vukovich. Rose was replaced in LF by George Foster. A stunningly successful double switch during the season.
Dan D was to be Tony Perez's replacement at First Base. How do you replace a guy that has 100 RBIs every year? When Perez was traded, that pulled the plug on the Big Red Machine.
Vuk never fit in with the team. Neither his defense nor offense was a plus.
Foster not only hit 50 HRs, he had a good arm. He almost ended up in my lap one game against the Dodgers while chasing a foul ball into the stands behind 3B. He was a well rounded OF and a very humble person.
MiamiScreamingEagles
Global Moderator
- Jan 17, 2004
- 71,254
- 48,224
Which leads to another bad trade. Tony Perez and Will McEnaney to Montreal for Dale Murray and Woodie Fryman.
The trade gutted the Reds internally as Perez was considered glue as a personality to younger players and almost more importantly to other vets. Fryman was a veteran (opening day starter for the Reds) and openly hated playing for Sparky Anderson and the Reds though oddly enough was from nearby Kentucky. He put up terrible numbers, went from opening day starter to the bullpen by mid-May. He quit on the team, literally, then was traded in the off-season. Truly a bizarre situation.
Losing Don Gullett to free agency was a critical blow but Fryman was his de facto replacement as a lefty starter. Gullett starred with the Yankees that season though he became injury-prone thereafter.
That led in part to the Reds trading for Vida Blue that year which would become voided by the Commissioner's office due to the cash paid and Oakland selling assets.
I have a vague memory of an interview with George Foster. A media person asked for an interview during what would be Foster's MVP season, or perhaps following it. When asked why, the media member indirectly stated "Because you are George Foster..." and the reply was "I have always been George Foster (and have never been asked)...."
Last edited:
Gullet threw 70% fastballs. Even as a kid, I did not think that was sustainable. He was from KY, like Fryman. The whole "going back to my farm" was very Twilight Zone or maybe Monty Python like.
The Vida Blue trade may have brought another WS to Cincinnati. Killing that trade made the Reds vote against Bowie "the moron" Kuhn as Commissioner and he lost his job. What made it worse was the Giants offering more money and 1 or 2 minor leaguers for Blue. How was that fair?
I was at the opening day in Cincy when it snowed a good inch (1981?). The Reds lost but scored 3 or 4 runs off of Blue in 5 innings. It was another Finger to good old Bowie from St Louie!
The Vida Blue trade may have brought another WS to Cincinnati. Killing that trade made the Reds vote against Bowie "the moron" Kuhn as Commissioner and he lost his job. What made it worse was the Giants offering more money and 1 or 2 minor leaguers for Blue. How was that fair?
I was at the opening day in Cincy when it snowed a good inch (1981?). The Reds lost but scored 3 or 4 runs off of Blue in 5 innings. It was another Finger to good old Bowie from St Louie!
The Real JT
No diving allowed
- Feb 24, 2003
- 29,942
- 3,027
Colon was fine for them for for half a year, but the Expos Hail Mary move cost them Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee, and Grady Sizemore.
