MLB trade failures that will still haunt teams in 2023 | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumours

Chicago White Sox: The James Shields-Fernando Tatís Jr. Trade

The Deal (June 4, 2016): Chicago White Sox get RHP James Shields (minus-0.3 WAR); Sant Diego Pares get SS Fernando Tatís Jr. (13.6), RHP Erik Johnson (minus-0.6)

This looked like an all time mistake for the White Sox as Tatís went for one 160 OPS+81 home runs and 52 stolen bases between 2019 and 2021. But after his suspension i multiple surgeries in 2022, now one has to wonder if the worst is over for the pale hose.

Miami Marlins: The Dan Straily-Luis Castillo trade

The Deal (Jan 19, 2017): Miami Marlins get RHP Dan Straily (1.9 WAR); Cincinnati Reds acquire RHP Luis Catillo (18.3), RHP Austin Brice (minus-0.5), BY Zeek White (0)

Former Marlins president David Samson says so would make this one again, for what it’s worth. For our part, we balked at giving him the full treatment because today’s Marlins have so much pitching that they were able to sacrifice Pablo López for Luis Arráez just last week.

Seattle Mariners: The David Phelps-Pablo López Trade

The Deal (July 20, 2017): Seattle Mariners acquire RHP David Phelps (0.2); Miami Marlins get RHP Pablo Lopez (8.5), RHP Luke Schiraldi (0)RHP Brandon Miller (0), OF Brayan Hernandez (0)

Lopez was traded for an average pitcher in his own right, as Phelps was a good, not great reliever at the time, and ultimately made just 10 appearances with Seattle. However, the Mariners are in the same boat as the Marlins in that they have too much pitching to really worry about.

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Tony Watson-Oneil Cruz trade

The Deal (July 31, 2017): Los Angeles Dodgers get LHP Tony Watson (0.4 WAR); Pittsburgh Pirates get SS Oneil Cruz (2.4)RHP Angel German (0)

That, of course, depends on how Cruz continues to develop. But if he starts putting bat to ball more often, his other tools that reveal the eyes can make him the type of star the Dodgers would probably prefer to have at shortstop instead of Miguel Rojas.

Houston Astros: El Martin Maldonado-Patrick Sandoval Trade

The Deal (July 26, 2018): Houston Astros get C Martín Maldonado (0.1 WAR); Los Angeles Angels get LHP Patrick Sandoval (5.9), international bonus money

Sandoval should probably be a bigger star after posting a 2.91 ERA last season. And while the Astros have a nice rotation lined up for 2023, they might miss the lefty if the guys who have trouble documenting the absence of American League Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander.

Pittsburgh Pirates: The Chris Archer-Tyler Glasnow-Austin Meadows trade

The Deal (July 31, 2018): Pittsburgh Pirates get RHP Chris Archer (1.2 WAR); Tampa Bay Rays get RHP Tyler Glasnow (6.5), by Austin Meadows (6.2), RHP Shane Baz (0.5)

The reality of this trade is not as bad as its reputation at this point. Meadows and Glasnow barely played in 2022 due to injuries, while Baz will miss all of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery. As with the Shields-Tatís trade, the worst could have happened for the Bucs.