MLB trade season is officially upon us!
In honor of the MLB Trade Deadline, let’s take a look back at some of the worst trades in recent MLB history, some of which occurred at the deadline.
5. 2018: Dodgers send OF Yasiel Puig, SP Alex Wood, OF Matt Kemp, and IF Kyle Farmer to the Reds for SP Josiah Gray, 2B/SS Jeter Downs, and SP Homer Bailey
Yes, obviously this was a brutal trade for the Reds that didn’t make much sense. The Dodgers basically dumped a bunch of washed veterans and Yasiel Puig for some diamond in the rough prospects. However, perhaps the more impressive feat of this trade is how the Dodgers were able to turn Downs and Gray into such coveted assets.
At the time of the deal, Downs and Gray were the number #7 and #20 prospects in a mediocre Reds farm system. Through the Dodgers’ incredible player development, Gray and Downs were developed into top 100 prospects (according to MLB pipeline).
However, the Dodgers had no plans for these two to suit up in Dodger blue. Instead, Downs was the centerpiece of a deal along with Alex Verdugo and Connor Wong that brought former MVP and future Hall of Famer Mookie Betts to Los Angeles. A few seasons later, Gray, along with top-catching prospect Kiebert Ruiz and two other minor leaguers, was sent to the Washington Nationals in exchange for infielder Trea Turner and starting pitcher Max Scherzer.
It’s incredible to think how the Dodgers were able to acquire Gray and Downs at a relatively small cost, and then flip them for some of the best players in our game.
Though this is quite tough for Reds fans to swallow, some good did come out of this blockbuster deal. Yasiel Puig was later shipped to the Indians in the deal that brought future Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer to Cincinnati. Let’s also not forget infielder Kyle Farmer, who has established himself as an everyday player in the Cincinnati lineup this year.