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MLB trade deadline: The 5 worst trade deadline deals in recent history

By Jack McKenney

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 18: Jake Arrieta #34 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 18, 2012 in Washington, DC. The Orioles won 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 18: Jake Arrieta #34 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 18, 2012 in Washington, DC. The Orioles won 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 19: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Minnesota Twins bats against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 19, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 19: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Minnesota Twins bats against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 19, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

Number 4

2021: Rays trade RHP Joe Ryan to the Twins for DH Nelson Cruz

Looking for a power bat to add at the deadline, Tampa made a move for future hall of famer Nelson Cruz, who was in the midst of an All-Star season at the time. Cruz was the sole bright spot on a struggling Minnesota team, hitting .294 with 19 homers at the time of the deal. However, he struggled to continue his excellence with the Rays. He hit just .226 with 13 homers to end the regular season, ending his tenure with drastic postseason struggles.

The AL’s top-seeded Rays were upset by the Boston Red Sox four games, with Cruz hitting .176 in 17 at-bats. To make matters worse, Cruz was merely a rental, leaving the Rays in free agency to sign with the Washington Nationals

While Cruz struggled during his tenure in Tampa Bay, dealing Joe Ryan for the veteran slugger makes the deal even tougher to swallow. Ryan was a legitimate AL Rookie of the Year candidate in 2022, tossing a 3.57 ERA in 147 innings. With a blazing hot start to 2023, Ryan looked like a legitimate Cy Young candidate at the beginning of the season. However, he’s faltered as of late, posting a 6.39 ERA over the month of July.

At 27, Ryan is still a viable young pitching piece that will be a part of this Minnesota rotation for years to come. It’s a wonderful return for a half-year veteran rental in Cruz, making this trade a huge win for the Twins.

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