Chicago Cubs: The five best Cubs trades since 1980

With trade rumors starting to swirl, the Chicago Cubs are looking to take advantage of what they can offer. What are the top five trades since 1980?

Let the games begin! The Major League Baseball season has hit Memorial Day week which means trade discusses become stories. The Chicago Cubs are no strangers to trade deadline deals, bringing over prospects that turned into All-Stars.

Throughout their history, the team dealt for quality players that played crucial roles in the team’s success. And, there are busts. For example, the team made a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 that sent Lou Brock to their rival. Granted, during his three years in Chicago, Brock never hit above .263. But, can you imagine if he stayed with the Cubs and hit in front of Ron Santo, Ernie Banks and Billy Williams in the late 1960s? The trade changed the history of both the Cubs and the Cardinals.

There have been several great trades for the Cubs as well. In 2003, the team swapped first baseman Hee-Seop Choi for Derek Lee. And, in 1984, the Cubs acquired Gary Matthews and Bob Dernier from the Philadelphia Phillies. Yet, these are not even close to the top five trades in team history.

Here are the top five trades since 1980. Why that time line? Because, honestly, any trade of note that occurred prior to that date was either in 1966 or in the early 1900’s.

#4: The Ace and the Reliever

When Theo Epstein joined the Chicago Cubs, we knew that moves were going to be made. His history with the Boston Red Sox showed the propensity to build through draft and finding players at a great value.

Chicago Cubs

No move shows the latter more than signing David Ortiz to a one-year, $1.25 million contract in 2003. I’d say that turned out well.

In terms of trades by Epstein and company in Chicago, few loom larger than what happened on July 2, 2013.

With Dale Sveum at the helm, the Cubs were going nowhere fast, making them trade-deadline sellers. They had a few assets to move, such as third catcher Steve Clevenger. But, the team needed pitching, and it would take a higher price. So, they packed Clevenger with Scott Feldman, the team’s second-best starter to that point.

The Baltimore Orioles were the perfect trade partner. Making a possible playoff push, the Orioles needed another starter. With Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop not performing up to standards, the Cubs took a chance. Pitching coach Chris Bosio enjoys projects, and both players were just that.

The Orioles missed the playoffs. Steve Clevenger had moments of excellence, but is no longer in the league. Feldman still plays, but has not enjoyed the success he saw in Chicago. But, Arrieta is a front-line starter, and Cy Young winner. And Strop is an anchor in the Cubs’ bullpen.

#3: Who’s on third?

Trivia Questions: How many Cubs started more than 50 games at third base between Ron Santo’s retirement in 1973 to 2003?

Answer: 44. Again, that is those who started more than 50 games at third. You can add at least 30 more with less than 50 starts. So, in terms of third basemen, the Chicago Cubs were worse than the Cleveland Browns trying to find a quarterback.

That changed on July 23, 2003. That is when the Cubs traded with the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates to acquire Aramis Ramirez. Over the following eight years, Ramirez started in at least 118 games in seven seasons. His performance over the years provided the stability that the team had not seen at third since Bill Madlock in 1976.

Now, the hot corner for the Cubs is one of the most important positions. Only eight players have played 50 or more games at third since Ramirez arrived. And, only two have more than 100 starts: Luis Valbuena and Kris Bryant. It is safe to say the Aramis Ramirez made the third base position in Chicago important again.

#2: The General

When the story is fully scripted, this trade may be the most important move in the history of the Chicago Cubs. But, the story is around chapter 10. It is the trade for Anthony Rizzo.

Theo Epstein knew Rizzo before either moved to Chicago, as Rizzo was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2007. When Epstein came to town, a move for Rizzo was imminent. And, on January 6, 2012, the Cubs sent Andrew Cashner and a minor league player to San Diego for Rizzo and another minor leaguer.

Since that day, Rizzo moved up the ranks within the team. Starting as a promising rookie, he climbed to be a solid everyday player to, now, the leader of the Chicago Cubs. He is a three-time All-Star, a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, and a perennial MVP candidate.

What I find interesting is that in terms of WAR, Rizzo has yet to be the team’s best player any year. Yet, he is eighth on the team all-time in Win Probability added, ninth in at-bats per home run, and top 40 in cumulative WAR.

The current Cubs are riding with the General.

 #1: The Gentleman

Few Chicago Cubs players were as loved and important to the team than one they acquired in a trade. And that trade happened on January 27, 1982, and brought Ryne Sandberg to the team.

An argument can be made that Ryno is the best second baseman in MLB history. With the Cubs, Sandberg was NL MVP in 1984. He won nine-straight Gold Gloves, made ten straight All-Star Games, and received seven Silver Slugger Awards. Easily, Sandberg walked into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

In a city where the number 23 demanded attention, Sandberg flourished. He and Michael Jordan will forever not only be linked by wearing that number in Chicago, and performing to legendary status. Within one year, both players left their teams mid-season, retiring from the games we enjoyed watching them play. While Jordan came back and won more championships, Sandberg struggled.

Next: Rizzo has been better than his batting average looks

While the trade for Sandberg brought veteran Larry Bowa to the team from the Phillies for Ivan DeJesus, Sandberg was the key piece. To this day, he remains one of the fans’ all-time favorites. All because of a trade.