Best Diamondbacks Trades in Retrospect

Although the Diamondbacks have been pretty active in the trade market in the past few years, they have only had about 40 notable trades in their history. They were relatively quiet in the market their first few seasons, but there were some big impact trades in the beginning of the franchise that really shaped the 2001 World Series team.

With that in mind, here are the five best trades in Diamondbacks history.

5. Brad Ziegler for Brandon Allen and Jordan Norberto (2011)

Brad Ziegler is an honorable mention on the D-Backs’ all-time lineup. Going into his sixth season, he has the lowest ERA in franchise history (2.45),the  third-lowest WHIP (1.10) and sixth-most saves with 44. He will look to add more to the save tally and jump up the all-time list as he enters this year as the Opening Day closer. But the

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shocking thing about this trade is what the team gave for Ziegler. Both Allen and Norberto played parts of two seasons with Oakland without making any impact. Neither were ever big prospects. The Diamondbacks were very lucky to find a steal like this.

4. Tony Womack For Paul Weichard and Jason Boyd (1999)

This trade really seems like a head-scratcher. Weichard was 19 and Boyd was 26 at the time of the trade, and Womack was an established MLB player by then. Both Weichard and Boyd were never impactful for any club, and Weichard never reached the majors. Boyd pitched 113 games with a 5.74 ERA with four different teams. Womack is in the all-time D-Backs’ starting lineup, and this trade ending up playing a huge role in winning a World Series trophy.

Related Story: Diamondbacks' all-time lineup

3. Tyler Skaggs, Patrick Corbin, and Joe Saunders for Dan Haren (2010)

Dan Haren had a short but solid career as a D-Back, but he fell off the table after this trade. He had one very good year in 2011, but his age caught up to him. In return, they got Corbin, who had an All-Star 2013.

Aside from Corbin, Joe Saunders was a decent replacement for Haren, and Skaggs turned out to be a good trade piece as well that ended up being wasted on Mark Trumbo. Skaggs was the top prospect for the D-Backs, and he has sadly had to deal with multiple arm issues after the D-Backs traded him away. Overall, Patrick Corbin was a  great piece to receive for an aging starter in Haren.

2. Curt Schilling for Omar Daal, Nelson Figueroa, Travis Lee, and Vicente Padilla (2000)

This trade is tough to put this high, but Schilling’s impact on the team was needed to win in 2001. All four of the guys received had decent careers after the trade, but none of them woul have made the impact Schilling made. Lee and Padilla had a couple solid seasons following the trade, but they came nothing close to what Schilling did. Schilling had 22 wins in 2001, 23 in 2002 and won World Series MVP in 2001.

1. Luis Gonzalez For Karim Garcia (1998)

Arguably the best player in D-Backs history, Luis Gonzalez was acquired at the age of 30. But he turned into a superstar once he put on purple and teal.

The

Tigers must have really liked Karim Garcia, although though Gonzalez was just putting up average numbers throughout his career at that point. But the Diamondbacks definitely ended up as winners as Garcia never panned out and Gonzo had possibly the biggest hit in the history of the game.

Honorable Mentions: 

Nick Ahmed, Martin Prado, and Brandon Drury for Justin Upton (2013)

This trade can find itself in the top 5 in the next few years if Nick Ahmed finds himself consistently in the starting lineup for years to come.

Brandon Drury is in the same boat, but he will have to beat out Jake Lamb for this trade to reach this list. The trade is still young and could possibly prove to be solid.

Orlando Hudson and Miguel Batista For Troy Glaus (2005)

Hudson and Batista both show up in the honorable mentions of the Venom Strikes all-time lineup which got this trade in the conversation. Troy Glaus played three good years after this trade though, and it just wasn’t enough of a steal to crack the list.

Matt Williams For Travis Fryman and Tom Martin (1997)

Matt Williams made the strongest case to land on the list, but Travis Fryman ended up putting up similar numbers to Williams between 1998-2000.

Now stay tuned for a look at the five  worst trades in D-Backs history. Coming soon on VHS…