Worst Trade In Recent Memory: Arizona Diamondbacks

April 22, 2023 ,

In the MLB offseason of 2018-2019, the Arizona Diamondbacks made a controversial move by trading star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for a package of players.

At the time of the trade, Goldschmidt was widely regarded as one of the best players in the league and had spent his entire career with the Diamondbacks. He had earned six All-Star selections, four Silver Slugger awards, and had finished in the top 3 of MVP voting three times.

However, he was also entering the final year of his contract with the team.

In exchange for Goldschmidt, the Diamondbacks received pitcher Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, infielder Andy Young, and a draft pick. While these players were viewed as promising prospects, they have not come even close to replicating the same level of production or impact as Goldschmidt.

Weaver has jumped around the league since the trade and has yet to find success. Kelly remains on the D-Backs, but has yet to make an impact. Young has not appeared in an MLB game since 2021.

The trade was criticized for several reasons. First, Goldschmidt was a key player in the Diamondbacks' lineup and had been instrumental in the team's success. Second, the Diamondbacks were in a position to compete for a playoff spot, and trading away a star player seemed counterproductive to that goal.

Finally, the team could have potentially received a better return if they had traded Goldschmidt earlier.

Since the trade, Goldschmidt has continued to excel with the Cardinals, recording a .292/.378/.515 triple-slash line, 108 home runs, 341 RBIs, 25 stolen bases and 348 runs scored across 546 games played, and helping lead the team to the playoffs each year he's been with them.

He's won the MVP award (2022), Silver Slugger (2022), Gold Glove (2021), and received MVP votes in each season in St. Louis.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have struggled, finishing with a losing record in the last three seasons. They have not made the playoffs since 2017.

Overall, the trade was viewed as a significant misstep for the Diamondbacks, and one that set the team back in their efforts to compete in the competitive NL West division.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, have benefited from Goldschmidt's presence in their lineup, and he remains a valuable player for the team. Photo Credit:  Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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