Ranking the Biggest MLB Trade Deadline Fire Sales Since 2010
The MLB trade deadline is a double-edged sword.
Franchises with World Series aspirations are looking to fortify the roster in hopes of chasing a pennant and a ring. But for every ambitious buyer on the market—and I basically mean the Los Angeles Dodgers—there must be a willing seller.
On occasion, though, a selling team approaches the "fire sale" category and tears down its core during the season.
While the choices are subjective, these are the most memorable MLB trade-deadline liquidations since 2010—which, as you can imagine, have produced some significantly varied results in the aftermath of the trades.
5. 2012 Boston Red Sox
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Late in June, the Boston Red Sox traded fan favorite Kevin Youkilis. That didn't come as a surprise, but hindsight helps show it was the initial deal of a franchise-changing summer.
Although the July trade deadline passed, the waiver deadline—which has since been eliminated—served as the key.
Boston orchestrated a blockbuster with the Dodgers, sending All-Stars Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford in exchange for James Loney and a bunch of prospects who never panned out.
The important part, however, is the Red Sox dumped a quarter-billion dollars of salaries on the Dodgers. That financial flexibility allowed Boston to reshape the roster during the offseason.
Incredibly, the Sox turned around and won the World Series in 2013.
4. 2012 Miami Marlins
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Before the 2012 season, the Miami Marlins changed their name, opened a controversial taxpayer-funded park and engaged in a heck of a free-agent spending spree.
Old habits die hard, though.
Miami peaked at 31-23 but dropped 15 of the next 17 games and never recovered. By late July, the Marlins dealt Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers and All-Star infielder Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers with key reliever Randy Choate.
For good measure, All-Star first baseman Gaby Sanchez headed to the Pittsburgh Pirates and reliever Edward Mujica went to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Though not part of the deadline dealing, the fire sale continued in the offseason with the memorable megadeal involving the Toronto Blue Jays.
At least the Marlins waited until 2018 for the next selloff.
3. 2018 Baltimore Orioles
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As the Baltimore Orioles entered the 2018 season, they faced the uncomfortable reality of a middling roster and an expiring contract for young star Manny Machado. Win now, or trade Machado before losing him for nothing in free agency.
Obviously, the latter scenario played out.
Baltimore dealt Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers and unloaded the roster, moving on from second baseman Jonathan Schoop and pitchers Kevin Gausman, Brad Brach, Zach Britton and Darren O'Day.
Fast-forward a couple of months, and the reeling Orioles set a franchise record with 117 losses, while Machado enjoyed a run to the World Series as a rental with L.A.
The bright side is Baltimore's current rise is partially a product of the team selecting Adley Rutschman at No. 1 overall and Gunnar Henderson in the second round of the following MLB draft.
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2. 2021 Washington Nationals
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Two seasons after winning the World Series, the Washington Nationals found themselves on a slide. They'd struggled in the shortened 2020 season and flirted with .500 for much of 2021.
And, as customary, the deep-pocketed Dodgers pounced when the Nats decided to sell.
Washington moved a trio of All-Stars, sending ace Max Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner to Los Angeles and outfielder Kyle Schwarber to Boston. The trades ultimately netted a couple of future regulars in catcher Keibert Ruiz and All-Star pitcher Josiah Gray.
Beyond those marquee deals, the Nats shipped out pitchers Jon Lester, Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson, catcher Yan Gomes and second baseman Josh Harrison.
Washington then pivoted to building around Juan Soto—which was short-lived, as they dealt him to San Diego in August 2022 after he declined an extension offer from the team.
1. 2021 Chicago Cubs
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Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are unforgettable members of Chicago Cubs history. Not only did they become stars in Chicago, but Bryant also threw the final out of the curse-breaking 2016 World Series win to Rizzo.
Chicago remained a playoff threat for a half-decade, but the organization reached an uncomfortable crossroads in 2021.
An emotional one, too.
Each of Rizzo, Bryant and shortstop Javy Baez had expiring contracts, and the Cubs traded them all; Rizzo to the New York Yankees, Bryant the San Francisco Giants and Baez the New York Mets.
In addition, Chicago dealt closer Craig Kimbrel, top relievers Ryan Tepera and Andrew Chafin and outfielders Joc Pederson and Jake Marisnick.
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