2. Scott Rolen again
Scott Rolen is the only player to have been the centerpiece of two of this century’s most impactful deadline trades.
On July 29, 2002, the Phillies — stuck in the NL East cellar and burdened with a disenchanted Rolen looking toward free agency — set out to find a buyer for him. They found one in the St. Louis Cardinals, who led the NL Central.
Down the stretch, Rolen batted .278 with 14 home runs for St. Louis and played a solid third base. The fortified Cardinals breezed to the NL Central title, but were upset by San Francisco in the NLCS.
The Cardinals did make the World Series in 2004, losing to Boston, then in 2006 beat Detroit in the World Series.
Rolen was a vital part of both postseason runs, batting .421 in the 2006 World Series.
To get Rolen, the Cardinals had to send four players to Philadelphia. But only one of them, infielder Placido Polanco, generated significant value for the Phillies.
The math: Rolen, +25.9 WAR for St. Louis; Placido Polanco, Mike Timlin, and Bud Smith, +10.4 WAR for Philadelphia. Net impact: +36.3 WAR.