Top 15 most regrettable St. Louis Cardinals' player exchanges in the organization's history
Uncovering the 15 Most Regrettable Swaps: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at St. Louis Cardinals' Trades
Hey there, sports fans! diving into the deep archives of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball history, we've unearthed some trades that'll make your hair stand on end. From blockbusters to quiet deals gone awry, the Cardinals, like any team, have their fair share of missteps. Here's our list of the 15 most regrettable trades in the storied franchise's history. Buckle up, Redbirds faithful, as we're diving into a rollercoaster of emotion!
(Note: Keep in mind that this list does not claim to be exhaustive, but rather represents a collection of trades that left a lasting impact on the team and sports enthusiasts alike.)
A quick glance at the Cardinals' success story reveals a franchise that's made its share of brilliant trades. Acquiring All-Stars like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado has elevated the team to new heights. But the Cardinals haven't always hit it out of the park when it comes to deals—here are some trades that might make you cringe.
When it comes to trades, it's not just the player or players that the team got in return that hurt: it's often the thought of the major success enjoyed by the other team in the deal. It's a bitter pill to swallow when you trade away potential for less and end up watching the result of that potential blossom elsewhere. That's why it's always tougher to swallow dismal trades than bad contracts for disappointing players.
The Unloved Ones
Over the years, the Cardinals have made their fair share of questionable trades, some more recent than others. Here's our list of the 15 most regrettable trades in the Cardinals' history, in no particular order.
- Mike Dunne Draft Pick and Trade (1984): With the 7th overall pick in the 1984 draft, the Cardinals selected Mike Dunne. Things didn't go as planned for the slugger, and he was ultimately traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Tony Pena—a move that feels underwhelming given the potential of the draftee at the time.
- Paul Coleman Draft Pick (1989): The Cardinals drafted Paul Coleman with the 6th overall pick in 1989, one spot ahead of future Hall of Famer Frank Thomas. Although Coleman displayed occasional promise, his career never quite took off, making this draft choice a source of regret.
- The Orlando Cepeda Trade (1966, not a Cardinals trade): Not a Cardinals trade, per se, but still worth mentioning as a reminder that regrets can haunt even the best teams. The Giants, feeling the pressure of their rivalry with the Yankees, traded Orlando Cepeda to the Cardinals for Ray Sedecki. This trade had a significant impact on the Giants, who missed out on the slugger's prime years and eventually failed to compete for World Series titles in the '60s.
- Jason Isringhausen (1996): A promising talent, Isringhausen was sent to the Oakland Athletics for Mark McGwire in 1996. Although many viewed McGwire as the main prize at the time, this trade left Cardinals fans yearning for what might have been when Isringhausen carved out an All-Star career in the future.
- Joey Votto (2002): In 2002, the Cardinals traded Joey Votto, an outfielder and first-round draft pick, to the Cincinnati Reds as part of a complex deal involving Scott Rolen. While Rolen proved to be a key contributor for the Cardinals, Votto evolved into one of the game's greatest hitters and a perennial MVP candidate, leaving Cardinals fans wondering what could have been.
- The Pudge Rodriguez Trade (2003): Ivan Rodriguez, one of the game's all-time great catchers, was sent to the Astros for Eli Marrero and Mark Grudzielanek in 2003. Both players had limited success with the Cardinals, leaving many to wonder what might have been if the team had retained the services of Rodriguez.
- The Chris Carpenter Trade (2003): Chris Carpenter, still remembered by Cardinals fans for his brilliant postseason performances and clutch performances, was traded to the Blue Jays for Tony Lapenne after the 2003 season. Carpenter returned to the Cardinals in 2004, but the trade has continued to haunt Cardinals fans nonetheless.
- The Jake Peavy Trade (2009): In exchange for the talented Jake Peavy, the Cardinals received Khalil Greene and Clayton Richard in a trade with the San Diego Padres. Both Greene and Richard struggled in St. Louis, and Peavy enjoyed considerable success with the Chicago White Sox.
- Carlos Martinez for Sidney Ponson (2005): In a controversial move that left many scratching their heads, the Cardinals attempted to revitalize the erratic Sidney Ponson by swapping him for the promising Carlos Martinez. Although the move was supposed to shore up the rotation, it ultimately had the opposite effect, as Ponson continued to struggle and Martinez flourished with the Astros.
- Matt Morris (2004): The Cardinals traded Matt Morris, a seven-time All-Star, to the San Francisco Giants for Darren Oliver and Eliezer Alfonzo after the 2004 season. Both players struggled to find success with the Cardinals, leaving fans to question the timing of the deal and its long-term impact on the team.
- Mark Mulder (2008): Though injuries had begun to take their toll, Mark Mulder was still a valuable starting pitcher when the Cardinals traded him to the Atlanta Braves for Adam Wainwright in 2008. Wainwright went on to become a cornerstone of the Cardinals' pitching staff, while Mulder never fully recovered from his injuries.
- Kevin Blackiston (1992): A wasted pick when the Cardinals took the infielder in the third round of the 1992 draft. The selection was especially noteworthy as it came one spot ahead of a teenaged Ken Griffey Jr.
- Eric Davis (1995): A former Rookie of the Year and All-Star with the Cincinnati Reds, Eric Davis came to the Cardinals in 1995 in exchange for Juan Thomas and Brian Hopkins. Davis, a future Hall of Famer, never quite lived up to expectations with the Cardinals.
- Orlando Cepeda (1958): The Cardinals traded Orlando Cepeda, a star outfielder and first baseman, to the Giants in 1958. The trade divided the team and proved to be a major misstep, as Cepeda went on to win three consecutive MVP awards with the Giants.
- Lou Brock (1964): A trade that appeared to be a steal for the Cardinals at the time—exchanging Brock and three players for Ernie Broglio— ultimately proved to be a huge mistake. Broglio spent three seasons with the Cardinals and won just 10 games during his brief tenure. In contrast, Brock enjoyed a Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Cubs.
The Main Takeaways
In the world of baseball, trades can either elevate a team to new heights or set it back for years. It's never easy to part with talented players, but the Cardinals have their fair share of regrettable trades, some of which have factored into their success or lack thereof.
But we can always learn from the past and take solace in the fact that every team has made its share of mistakes. So let's imagine if the Cardinals had avoided these regrettable trades: what might their championship totals look like today? Alas, hindsight is 20/20, and the Cardinals, like any team, must learn from their shortcomings and move forward.
Ultimately, the best anyone can do is to live for today, enjoy the game, and embrace the surprises this beautiful sport has to offer. Now take a deep breath, Redbirds fans, and let's cheer our favorite team on to greater heights—and maybe fewer regrets.
In their storied history, the St. Louis Cardinals have made some trades that left fans asking, "What if?" For instance, sending promising pitcher Mike Dunne to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Tony Pena in the 1984 draft felt underwhelming, considering the potential Dunne had at the time. Additionally, trading Joey Votto, the first-round draft pick in 2002, to the Cincinnati Reds as part of a complex deal involving Scott Rolen, was a move that Cardinals fans still ponder over, given Votto's subsequent success. These trades serve as reminders that, in sports, regrets can linger, even when teams make clever moves.
