10 Worst Trades in Seattle Mariners History

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Many former Mariners are now finding great success with their new teams, much to the chagrin of M's faithful.

Trades are always risky, and in Seattle's case it seems they haven't worked out in their favor more often than not, especially in recent years. (We'll see about Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda, so far so good though, knock on wood.)

All that being said, here are the 10 worst trades in Mariners history. 

Carlos Guillen to Detroit for Ramon Santiago

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The Tigers eventually lost nothing in this trade, as Ramon Santiago played in 27 games in two seasons with the Mariners before returning to Detroit.

That's only one reason this was a terrible trade.

Santiago hit .170 in his short-lived M's career, and Carlos Guillen blossomed into a three-time All Star following six average seasons in Seattle.

With the Tigers, Guillen made the All-Star appearances, as well as hit .297 including consecutive years at .318, .320 and .320.

Guillen also had his only two 20-home run seasons and 100-RBI year as a member of the Tigers.

Brian Fuentes, Jose Paniagua and Denny Stark to Colorado for Jeff Cirillo

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To his credit, Jeff Cirillo was a hot commodity following four straight seasons with a batting average well above .300.

As soon as he got to Seattle, his numbers plummeted.

In his two seasons as a Mariner, Cirillo hit .234, well below his lifetime average of a very respectable .296.

The move away from Coors Field and into Safeco dramatically hampered Cirillo's power numbers. He hit 17 bombs the season before, but totaled just eight in two years with the Mariners.

Brian Fuentes has since been selected to four All-Star games, and at one time was one of the best closers in baseball, recording 48 saves for the Angels in 2009.

Shin-Soo Choo to Cleveland for Ben Broussard

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Choo wasn't given much of a chance in Seattle, as he was sent packing to Cleveland after just 14 games.

He's since developed into a consistent power bat and solid outfielder, hitting .300 or better three times with two 20+ homer seasons.

Ben Broussard wasn't bad for Seattle. He had some bright spots and came up clutch from time to time, but in hindsight, the M's would much rather have Choo patrolling the outfield.

Mike Hampton and Mike Felder to Houston for Eric Anthony

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Eric Anthony was a very average big league baseball player. He spent just one season with the Mariners, while Hampton was one of the best left-handed hurlers in the league for half a decade, winning 22 games in 1999.

The most unfortunate part of the trade, although Hampton wouldn't have hit with Seattle being in the American League, Hampton had a better lifetime average than Anthony, and won five Silver Slugger awards, five more than Eric Anthony.

Rafael Soriano to Atlanta for Horacio Ramirez

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In Ramirez's only season in Seattle (2007), he somehow managed to go 8-7 despite his jaw-dropping 7.16 ERA.

Ramirez struggled through five injury-riddled seasons following his short stint in Seattle; meanwhile Rafael Soriano is still pitching and has been a very reliable reliever and closer for the Braves, Rays and Yankees. 

Omar Vizquel to Cleveland for Felix Fermin, Reggie Jefferson

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Future Hall of Fame shortstop Omar Vizquel was sent to Cleveland following the 1993 season, the year in which he was awarded the first of his 11 Gold Gloves. The ageless wonder is still playing today at age 45.

Fermin and Jefferson were both solid players for the M's, but certainly not as memorable to baseball's history.

Tino Martinez, Jim Mecir, Jeff Nelson to NY for Russ Davis, Sterling Hitchcock

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A well above average first baseman, Tino Martinez finished his 16-year career with a lifetime average of .271, 339 home runs and nearly 2,000 hits.

Jim Mecir was a dependable reliever for a decade, and Jeff Nelson had a successful career out of the bullpen and would later return to the Mariners.

Russ Davis hit 20 or more homers in each of his three seasons in Seattle, but his big league career lasted just eight seasons and he never hit higher than .271.

Sterling Hitchcock tallied his career high in wins (13) in his only season with the Mariners but had an inflated ERA of 5.35. 

Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Minor Leaguers to Orioles for Erik Bedard

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The one player the Mariners didn't want to trade away, their most coveted and promising prospect, Adam Jones was traded to Baltimore along with reliever George Sherrill, and minor league players Kameron Mickolio, Chris Tillman and Tony Butler, in exchange for Erik Bedard.

Bedard's season prior to coming to Seattle was a stellar one. The lefty went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA and 221 strikeouts. Although he put up good numbers as a Mariner, (not necessarily his record but his ERA, WHIP, etc.) his time in Seattle will be most remembered by the time Bedard missed due to injuries.

He started a total of 30 games through two seasons before missing the entire 2010 season, and he was then traded to Boston after 16 starts last year.

Sherrill has since returned to the Mariners but arguably had his best success elsewhere, and of course as we all know, Adam Jones is one of the premiere young outfielders. He recently got selected to his second All-Star game, with 20 home runs already this season.

David Ortiz to Minnesota for Dave Hollins

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Dave Hollins played all of 28 games as a Mariner, and although he hit .351 during that span, I would rather have David Ortiz in the lineup every day for Seattle.

The move made sense at the time; Seattle had Edgar Martinez and the DH position was all but cemented to him. 

Fifteen years later, Ortiz has won two world championships, been selected to eight All-Star games, hit 400 home runs, and solidified himself as one of the greatest players to be primarily a DH.

Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek to Boston for Heathcliff Slocumb

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The trade deadline of 1997 marks the day that the worst trade in Seattle Mariners history took place. The M's landed 31-year-old closer Heathcliff Slocumb in exchange for two no-name players, a minor league catcher named Jason Varitek and a young pitcher, Derek Lowe.

Slocumb had a solid 10-year career with eight teams, while Varitek and Lowe remained teammates in Boston through their World Series title in 2004.

Varitek was the heart and soul of the Red Sox and was team captain. Lowe has been a consistently successful pitcher, and the duo were a reliable battery for eight seasons in Boston.

Is it safe to say the Mariners helped the Red Sox win a World Series?