Introduction to MLB Team Trading
The Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization that consists of 30 teams. Each team competes in 162 games in the regular season and the top teams advance to the postseason to compete for the World Series championship. In order to stay competitive, teams often make trades with each other to acquire players and build their rosters. This article will examine which MLB teams have traded with each other the most.
Types of Trades
MLB teams have a variety of ways to make trades. The most common type of trade is a one-for-one deal, in which a team trades one player for another. Teams can also make multi-player trades, in which a team trades multiple players for multiple players from another team. Additionally, teams can also make cash-only trades in which a team sends cash to another team in exchange for a player.
Most Active MLB Teams in Trades
The most active teams in MLB trades are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals. These teams have been consistently active in the trade market, making multiple trades each season in order to acquire players and improve their roster.
MLB Teams Who Trade Most With Each Other
There are a few teams who have developed a pattern of trading with each other. The most prominent example is the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, who have made a total of 18 trades since 2014. The trades have included players such as RHP Adam Wainwright, RHP Carlos Martinez, and 2B Kolten Wong.
Another example is the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, who have made a total of 15 trades since 2014. The trades have included players such as RHP Nathan Eovaldi, C Christian Vazquez, and CF Mookie Betts.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays have also made multiple trades with each other, with a total of 11 trades since 2014. The trades have included players such as RHP Yaisel Sierra, LHP Scott Kazmir, and OF Yasiel Puig.
MLB Teams Who Trade Least With Each Other
Not all MLB teams have been active in the trading market. Some teams have only made a few trades with each other in recent years.
The teams that have made the least trades are the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics, who have only made two trades since 2014. The trades included players such as OF Matt Joyce and RHP Jesse Hahn.
The Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners have also made only two trades since 2014. The trades included players such as OF Seth Smith and RHP Yovani Gallardo.
Reasons for Trading
MLB teams make trades for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is to acquire players who can help the team win games. Teams can also make trades to acquire prospects who could become valuable players in the future. Additionally, teams can make trades to shed salary or to acquire international bonus pool money.
Notable Trades
Some of the most notable trades in recent years include:
- Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright for RHP Carlos Martinez
- New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox: RHP Nathan Eovaldi for C Christian Vazquez and CF Mookie Betts
- Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays: RHP Yaisel Sierra for LHP Scott Kazmir and OF Yasiel Puig
Impact of Trades
Trades can have a significant impact on the teams that make them. In some cases, trades can help a team win a championship, such as when the Red Sox acquired Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox in 2016. In other cases, trades can backfire and hurt a team’s chances of winning, such as when the Dodgers acquired Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves in 2018.
Conclusion
MLB teams have been active in the trading market in recent years, making trades in order to acquire players and build their rosters. The most active teams in trades are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals. There are also teams who have developed a pattern of trading with each other, such as the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. Trades can have a significant impact on the teams that make them, so teams must be careful when making trades.