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MLB: Five Most Lopsided Trade Deadline Deals Since 2000

By Jason Evans

Apr 9, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) throws the ball during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) throws the ball during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

July 30, 2004- New York Mets trade Scott Kazmir and Jose Diaz to Tampa Bay for Victor Zambrano and Bartolome Fortunato

Here is where trading a prospect can burn you. In 2004, the Mets were looking to retool their rotation to set them up for the long term. They had older guys like Tom Glavine and Al Leiter, but wanted some younger reinforcements. They traded Ty Wigginton in a deal to the Pirates for Kris Benson to make room at third for some guy named David Wright.

They then tried to hit the jackpot again and traded their top pitching prospect in Scott Kazmir to the Devil Rays for Victor Zambrano.

Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson said he could fix Victor Zambrano in 10 minutes and unlock his potential.

Zambrano went 2-0 for the Mets in 04, then went 7-12 in 2005 and hurt his arm during the 2006 season and would never be the same pitcher.

Kazmir would go on to be a huge part of the 2008 Rays team that won the AL pennant. He led the AL in strikeouts once and was a an All-Star for the Rays twice before being traded to the Angels in 2009.  Kazmir is now with the Dodgers.

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