Worst Trade In Recent Memory: Miami Marlins

One of the worst trades in recent memory is still a tough one for the Miami Marlins and their fans.

The 2017 trade that sent Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins to the New York Yankees was widely regarded as one of the worst trades in recent MLB memory.

The trade was completed on December 9, 2017, and saw the Marlins send Stanton and cash considerations to the Yankees in exchange for second baseman Starlin Castro and two minor-league prospects.

At the time of the trade, Stanton was coming off an outstanding season in which he won the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award after hitting 59 home runs and driving in 132 runs.

With the benefit of hindsight, would you still make the Giancarlo Stanton trade 5 years later?

Full episode: https://t.co/SkSSu5qnj8 pic.twitter.com/qNwJI0JXjv

— Dan Rourke (@DanAlanRourke) November 29, 2022

Stanton was one of the game's premier power hitters and had just signed a massive 13-year, $325 million contract extension with the Marlins in 2014.

Despite Stanton's success on the field, the Marlins were eager to shed his salary, which was set to escalate in the coming years. The Yankees, who were looking to add another power hitter to their lineup, saw an opportunity to acquire Stanton and his contract at a discount.

Many fans and analysts criticized the trade, arguing that the Marlins did not receive enough in return for Stanton, who was one of the game's top players. Additionally, the trade was seen as a signal that the Marlins, who had just been purchased by a group led by Derek Jeter, were not committed to building a winning team and were more interested in cutting costs.

“Do you regret the Giancarlo Stanton trade?” Michael Kay to Brian Cashman pic.twitter.com/BvpULucrrn

— Dan Rourke (@DanAlanRourke) August 3, 2021

Since joining the Yankees, Stanton has been productive when healthy, but has struggled with injuries, hitting 113 home runs and 303 RBIs over 452 games and six seasons.

The two other prospects that were involved in the deal were Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers.

Guzman was a promising right-handed pitcher with a fastball that reached 102 mph, while Devers was a 17-year-old shortstop known for his defense.

Although they were considered interesting prospects, they have yet to make any impact in the majors six years later. Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports