The Best Rental Trades in Baseball History 

I think you missed a big one. Jorge Soler to the Braves in 2021. He was a massive part in them winning the World Series. And they didn't give up anything to get him.

the ultimate rental, Aroldis Chapman for the 2016 Cubs. Joe Maddon was pitching him nearly every game towards the end of the world series, he was gonna get every little bit out of that trade that ended up sending Gleyber Torres to the Yankees, all for Aroldis to go back to the yankees on a mega deal the next year.

That half season of JD Martinez was absolutely insane, the Dbacks probably wouldn’t have made the playoffs without him.

I was waiting for 2015 royals rental legends in Ben Zobrist, who hit pretty much only doubles, and Johnny Cueto, who was a efficient workhorse In that postseason. I need a sequel

Not only is Octavio Dotel an immaculate grid legend but he also locked down the 8th inning for the Astros by striking out 4 batters in his only inning of work of a 6 pitcher no-hitter in 2003 against the Yankees

Incredible how amazing Will Clark did in 2000 with the Cardinals. Mac was having a sensational 2000 season before the injury (maybe at that pace the best hitting season of his career), but his knees gave out. Clark stepped up better than anyone could have imagined.

2010 Cliff Lee to Texas. Helped them make the playoffs and was lights out dominant in the ALDS and ALCS getting them to the World Series.

Ricky Henderson to the Jays in 93' was a huge addition to an already elite line up.

JD is sneaky one of the best FA signings in recent history as well. The numbers he put up during his 5 years in Boston were amazing and he got his ring there AND was a 4x all star. One of the rare times where not a single penny was wasted on a big money contract.

Thanks for highlighting Will "The Thrill" Clark. I've long felt that Will Clark was under-rated, partially due to the fact that he stepped away from the game at age 36 to spend more time with his family. He easily could have stuck around a few more years to accumulate stats (like most players). If Fred McGriff is a Hall of Famer - and I believe he is - with a career WAR of 52.6 and a career OPS+ of 134, then Will Clark (56.5 career WAR and a career OPS+ of 137) should be, as well.

2018 rental Steve Pearce although not the most electric post all star break, came in clutch in the World Series and won World Series MVP for it

I think CC Sabathia was a rental trade going from Cleveland to Milwaukee. He was almost unhittable with his short time with the Brewers

One from 2016. The Cubs wanted to get something to add their piece of the 2016 World Series, making a trade for Aroldis Chapman for Gleyber Torres. After the deadline, Chapman won a World Series but didn’t stay with the cubs. So he was kind of a rental player.

Happ is a good example of how the pirates, during that era, were great at developing reclamation projects, even if they couldn’t develop young pitching well. Happ, AJ Burnett, Ivan Nova, Jason Grilli, Francisco Liriano, etc. I always saw this as an interesting trend.

As soon as Tex came up I was like “bring up Trout bring up Trout” and I’m so glad you did. Being an Angels fan is pretty painful but that whole sequence of events is so fun to look back on,

Think one trade you missed was Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians/Guardians in 2016. He single-handedly got that team Game 7 of the World Series.

David Price from the Tigers to Jays was one of the best rental trades. The Jays were about a 500 club, him, Tulo and other tradeline deals helped turn the club into division winners for the first time since 1985.

Cliff Lee deserves a mention when he was traded from Cleveland to Philly. He had a good not great remainder of the regular season for the Phils, but he was untouchable in the postseason for them through the world series.

as a die hard rockies fan calling us out for not knowing what the hell we’re doing is entirely accurate

Shocked that Marco Scutaro in 2012 wasn’t here. Forgot the exact number but Scutaro was hitting above .400 after being shipped to SF, won NLCS MVP in a 1-3 comeback against the cards and won the World Series.

2012 Marco Scutaro on the Giants, 2017 Jay Bruce for the Indians, Pederson/Duvall/Soler/Rosario for the Braves in 2021

2019 Nick Castellanos to the Cubs. He hit more home runs in 50 games with the Cubs than he did in 100 games with the Tigers, and all thw Cubs gave up was Alex Lange, and another name that hasn't made the big leagues, and is still in A ball 4 years later at 26 years old

The Blue Jays in the 90s glory days had a couple of these - David Cone in 1992 who was their #2 starter in the playoffs, and Rickey Henderson in 1993 became their leadoff hitter - as the Jays won the Series both years. Cone was traded for Jeff Kent who went on to be really good, but flags fly forever.

In 2010 the Texas Rangers got Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners. He went 4-6 but had an ERA of 3.98 with 96 punchies and 2 complete games. Not bad

Ben Zobrist and Johnny Cueto for the Royals in 2015

Cliff Lee to the Rangers in 2010. Led us to our first World Series and was lights out the first 2 rounds of the postseason.

As a Tigers fan that JD trade hurts even more considering Al Avila completely rushed it, moving JD like 2 weeks or so before the deadline

That Beltran run was something to see. I was a fan of Beltran when he was with KC so seeing him with a contender was good to see. I don't think i ever seen a playoff run as good as Beltran in 04. Also hated him going to the Mets, I'm a Yankee fan born and raised.

Apparently the Red Sox were also making a push for Beltran in 04 as well. Supposedly the Red Sox offered Kevin Youkilis and Kelly Shoppach to KC, but they decided to go with the Houston deal instead.

Mark Texeria on the Braves was incredible.

I want to say Lester for Cespedes in 2014 was as close to an example where both teams had a top rental player in the same trade as you will find

A Mets fan would just not mention Zobrist to the Royals in 2015.

aroldis chapman to the Cubs in 2016 helped carry them to the world series. That was a pretty big one. 4 prospects for the closer.

Chapman to the cubs in 2016 is obviously but was even better of a “rental” imo was the cubs getting nick castellanos in 2019. Insane second half and was the sole reason we had even a chance at the pkayoffs that season

Kenny Lofton (along with Aramis Ramirez) to the Cubs in 2003. An excellent rental especially after losing Corey Patterson to injury while he was having a breakout season.

MARCO SCUTARO. How can you miss that one. He literally got 2 hits every game after getting traded to the Giants. Got NLCS MVP and got the game winning hit in the WS that same year🤯🤯

I live in Wisconsin and my family is from Ohio, diehard Cleveland fans and I got to see some great innings from Sabathia when he was building his career in Cleveland. Then saw him blossom into a badass for that amazing second half season in Milwaukee. Easily my favorite example of a player manifesting superstardom on a contract year

Mark Teixeira was a DEMON for the 2nd half of 08, rarely talked about love that you highlighted him

As a Dodger fan I must suggest Manny Ramirez in 2008 and Max Scherzer in 2021 Manny Ramirez's stats after the trade: .396/.489/.743 with a OPS of 1.232, OPS+ of 221, 17 HRs, and 53 RBIs all in 53 games. He finished 4th in the NL MVP race, and the Dodgers only gave up Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris in a three team deal. Max Scherzer's stats after the trade: 7-0, 1.98 ERA, 1.96 FIP, 214 ERA+, .820 WHIP, 89 Ks, and only 8 walks in 11 starts (Dodgers won each of his starts). The Dodgers gave up catcher Keibert Ruiz, starter Josiah Gray, reliever Gerardo Carrillo, and outfielder Donovan Casey. This was a bigger package than what they gave for Manny, but the Dodgers also got one year and a half of Trea Turner in that deal.

2008, CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers 17 starts, 11-2, 1.65 ERA, 7 complete games, 3 complete game shutouts

Great video, Jolly. I'm a new baseball fan so rental trades is still something I'm understanding but seeing all these examples makes it easier for me to understand why teams trade guys that they probably won't keep in order to make a run. Again, great video dude.

Number 1: Colin Holderman for Daniel Vogelbach

Jolly! Awesome stuff per usual. How about a video about Jim Edmonds?? Ignoring his disastrous tenure as a Cardinals broadcaster (don't even get me started on that) he was one of the clutchest players of the early to mid-2000s, and an absolutely incredible defensive center fielder. With Scott Rolen getting into the hall the year, it got me thinking that Edmonds may have a case as well.

Will Clark should be a HoF veterans committee guy he was ridiculously consistent as a hitter and would have been a linch-pin in the modern game with his ELITE on base ability.

The first one you mentioned pisses me the hell off. Carlos Beltran saved the Astros’ reputation the first time he came there, and then irreparably broke it the second time. As an Astros fan, he remains the only member of the 2017 team that I still have contempt for. Enjoy the HOF plaque Mets fans.

I remember watching Texeira play for my Angels when I was a kid! He was intimidating as all hell

JV to Houston 2017, a perfect 5-0 in September, ALCS MVP, a ring. Following offseason he signed for 2 more years then 1 more later, resulting in 2 more Cy Young awards, 2 more no hitters, his first 300K season, and a second ring in 4 WS appearances with the Astros before he moved on.

You gotta check out Larry Walker to the Cardinals in 2004. Great rental trade and he dominated for them in the playoffs.

Jake Arrietta 😂🤣🤣 this video brought back so many players i forgot about

5:44 Angels did win 99 games in 2002, so lets bump it up to 100, since they also win it all that season

Peak Beltran was an absolute goon. Also one of the greatest MLB the show cards ever

Cecil Fielder to the Yankees in 1996 deserves a mention as well. While the team had to readjust their offense to fit him in which led to their second half struggle until toward the end of summer but with how the guy have been hitting with them especially throughout the postseason, they may not have made it past Texas without him.

Carlos Beltran to Houston in 2004. World of difference he made to that team. From wiki: "In the 2004 playoffs, Beltrán tied Barry Bonds' single post-season record with eight home runs. He hit one in each of the first four games of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the St. Louis Cardinals, including the game-winner in Game 4. He hit two home runs in Game 5 of the previous playoff round in the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Atlanta Braves; it was the first time Beltran or the Astros had won a postseason series and his performance was the first time that an Astro had hit two home runs in a postseason game. In total, Beltrán clubbed at least one home run in a record-setting five consecutive postseason games,[23] outnumbered only by Daniel Murphy's home runs in six consecutive postseason games in 2015.[24] In 12 games in the 2004 playoffs, Beltrán batted .435 with 14 RBIs and 21 runs scored.[25]"

CC Sabathia was the most impressive dude ive ever seen in a snort span. Going on 3 days rest over and over and over. Dominating.

"We find out who's contending, who's pretending..." *shows the Phillies when saying "who's pretending"* Jack Olive, being a Phillies fan is already painful enough. I experience enough existential dread with this team, why do you gotta do this to me? All seriousness, another fantastic video as always. J.D. Martinez's 2017 run with the DBacks still blows my mind every time I look at his numbers.

The Beltran rental also introduced Beltran to the Astros organization where he would later implement the sign stealing techniques used to cheat the 2017 World Series among other important playoff games. The butterfly effect is real.

so good to see will clark in this one. was hoping you would talk about him when i saw the title. he has a case for cooperstown now (unfortunate that his first ballot was JUST under the required % to be featured on future ballots) but if he had continued for another 5 or more years he would have been a shoe-in

Jolly loved the Will Clark cuts. I miss the old busch stadium! :)

Thank you for doing this vid Jolly! Cheers

Love you Jolly, but it is criminal not to have Chapman to the Cubs in 2016 on this list. Singlehandedly carried the bullpen during the second half and all of the postseason, yes they gave up Gleyber but the team never would have broken the drought without him.

Really appreciate the effort on the videos and the topics have been cool keep it up fella

I can’t wait for all the trades to start happening

Doyle Alexander 1987 from Atlanta to Detroit for the young John Smoltz. Alexanders numbers: 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA to propel the Tigers to the division title.

Most recent best one was Max Scherzer. ERA and FIP under 2 as a Dodger and solidified a rotation that lost Kershaw and went on to close out the Giants in the NLDS

Cannot believe you missed Cliff Lee for the 2010 Rangers. Masterclass in the playoffs en route to first world series

Will Clark is like Paul O'Neil. Forever enshrined in the mythical Hall of Very Good

To this day, that JD Martinez deal still really puzzles me. What the heck were the Tigers thinking trading for that return? Even at the time, none of those players looked particularly great on paper, and what do you know, they all ended up sucking. Just an absolute waste of a prime trade chip when they surely could have gotten a serious haul for him from a different team (or even just squeezed the D-Backs for more).

The cardinals have also had a few good deadline rentals in the past few years where they give up almost nothing for decent pitchers who end up being great for them (Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, and JA Happ)

How is CC not in the thumbnail EDIT: made to the explanation lol

Honestly, Hank Borowy in 1945 deserves a mention. 11-2 with a 2.13 era in 1945 for the cubs after I think being claimed on waivers. I realize this only goes back so far, but I think he deserves a mentio

That Tex trade to the angels ended up being of the best moves in franchise history.

Kyle Schwarber to the Red Sox .957 OPS to end the second half for a guy who pitched seven innings in rookie ball for the nationals and was never seen again

good video idea. it always seems like we focus on the bad trades and never these good ones. nice job.

I understand the idea of the video is to find rental trades that helped playoff teams but the Pirates traded rental, Tony Watson, to the LAD for Oneil Cruz.

Love the videos Jolly. Keep it up!

you got to do the best lost rental trades in baseball history.

That Will Clark run with St Louis was a ton of fun

Tigers trade production: 2015 Cespedes traded to Mets .287 17HRs 44 RBIs in 57 games 2017 JD Martinez traded to Diamondbacks .302 29 HRs 65 RBIs in 62 games 2019 Castellanos traded to Cubs .321 16 HRs 36 RBIs in 51 games 2015 David Price traded to Blue Jays 9-1 2.30 ERA in 11 games 2017 Justin Verlander trades to Astros 5-0 1.06 ERA in 5 games (wins WS)

I'd say Aroldis Chapman to the cubs for half of 2016 was really good, given the state of that Bullpen.

How about “Worst Rental Trades Ever”? For example, France/Munoz for Nola and Meadows/Glasnow for Archer. Great video btw

Thank you for the car crash special effect

I remember that Beltran run. It was great.

Kevin Youkilis was awesome for the White Sox when it happened. He was the only good hitter on the team that 2nd half. Wish we kept him 😢

How in the world is CC Sabathia not on here? Dude single handedly took Brewers to the playoffs.

In 62 games he hit 29 home runs. Lets not gloss over that. Thats a hr basically every other game. Thats a nearly 80hr season pace he kept for almost half a season. That's insane. Period.

Aroldis Chapman played a big role on the Cubs WS team in 2016

Rental trades aren't really about getting equivalent value back. The psychology of it is, "We want to win right now, this other team has a player who can help us do it, these players (usually prospects) who we are giving up are far, far away from helping us win right now, so we acknowledge that we might be giving up too much on a player-to-player calculation, but the less predictable/calculable value brought back by a WS Championship or even just a deep playoff run makes up for the difference." When you make a video like this in the mindset that a rental trade that brings a playoff contender a lights out reliever is made just average or "arguably even bad" by the fact that the other team was given a future reliable starter signals that you don't quite understand how these trades work. That said, there is such a thing as a bad rental trade. If off-season moves still fit your criteria, then as a Twins fan, the Pierzynski deal comes to my mind immediately. We fleeced SF there and got one of the all time greatest relievers and a SP who at various times was a stalwart in our rotation plus one more small piece in Bonser and gave up one year of average play from Pierzynski (plus more than a year's worth of clubhouse drama) to accomplish it.

I would 100% do the Rodriguez for Miller trade again. No way should that be considered possibly bad. Orioles hadn't been to an ALCS since 1996. They don't get there without Andrew Miller.

What about Steve Pearce to the Red Sox who went on to be WS MVP. That beats everything

Rafael Furcal 2011 trade to the Cardinals was crucial

Jose Quintana to the cardinals last year was a good one

Steve Pearce 2018 Redsox… multi homer debut vs Yankees and World Series mvp

The Mark Teixeira trade was a massive haul for my Rangers. I remember thinking at the time that it was a great trade, based solely on the prospects that the Braves gave up. The Rangers were awful at the time and Teixeira was out the door anyway.

That JD Martinez was just something else that year I was too young for bonds but it was Albert for the cardinals and JD on the D-backs. The biggest dodger killers

Rickey Henderson to Toronto in 1993 is always what I think of

What about...Oakland Athletics acquire OF Matt Holliday; Colorado Rockies acquire OF Carlos Gonzalez, RHP Huston Street and LHP Greg Smith. Or Cliff Lee to Rangers or Mariners.

The J.A. Happ trade at the 2015 deadline worked out very well for the Pirates. He was dominant for us. And fans say Neil Huntington was a terrible GM who made bad trades(really just one bad one)...

8:46 Will Clark was Cooperstown-level talent indeed. How did a guy who had more WAR than David Ortiz get denied the HOF?

The goaaaat of the bip championship

If you do decide to make a sequel to this, you should certainly include Cespedes to the Mets in 2015 and Kyle Schwarber to the Red Sox in 2021, as both teams likely would have missed the playoffs without those acquisitions