I'll Trade You for It

 

Top 9 Trades/Signings in Philly Sports History

Rube did it again! For the 3rd straight year he made a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline. Thank God he kept Ed Wade on his Christmas card list. Ed Wade is the gift that keeps on giving. He is the definition of 'Addition by subtraction'. He has done more for the Phillies as the GM of the Astros then he ever did as the Phils GM. Thanks for Brad Lidge, Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence, Ed! And what did Rube have to give up to acquire these huge pieces you ask? Michael Bourn and some prospects. Pretty sweet deals. It got me thinking about the best deals the Philadelphia sports teams have made over the years. I'm going to break it down how The Wriz likes it, Prime 9 style.

 

9 - John LeClair, Eric Desjardains & Gilbert Dionne for Mark Recchi & a 3rd round pick. LeClair & Desjardains were huge for the 'Lindros Era' Flyers. They were big parts of the Flyers Cup run in 1998. A 50 goal scorer and a rock solid puck carrying defenseman for a good player is a nice deal.

 

 

8 - Brad Lidge & Eric Bruntlett for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary & George...Sorry, Mike Costanzo. The Phillies are still looking for their first World Series victory since 1980 if not for Brad Lidge. A perfect season. He was automatic that year. Ed Wade's first gift to his former team.

 

7 - Terrell Owens, Free Agent Signing, cost the Eagles, Brandon Whiting and a 5th round conditional pick. We all know T.O. turned into the worlds biggest A hole in his second year with the Eagles. I still can see that tool working out in front of his house with reporters snapping questions and photos. His first year was nice, he was a good teammate, worked his butt off to come back for the Super Bowl. He would have been the MVP of that Super Bowl if Donovan didn't throw up all over the field.

 

6- Cliff Lee & Ben Fransisco for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson & Jason Knapp. Rube's first blockbuster at the trade deadline. This city fell in love with Cliff Lee. Cliff Lee fell in love with the city so much that he flipped the bird to New York to come back here. What's not to like about this deal?

 

5 - Bernie Parent for Doug Favell & a 1st Round pick. Only God saved more then Bernie! He carried the Broad Street Bullies to back to back Stanley Cup victories. Both Cup clinching games were shutouts. Can't get more clutch then that.

 

4 - Julius 'The Doctor' Erving purchased for 3 million dollars. The Nets were cash strapped and had to unload Dr J. The Sixers bought the best player they ever had for what Andre Iguodala makes in a month.

 

3 - Roy Halladay for Travis D'Arnaud, Kyle Drabek, & Michael Taylor. The Phillies got this generations best pitcher for prospects. You make that deal every time.

 

2 - Pete Rose, Free Agent. Signed for $3.2 million for 4 years. Pete put the Phillies over the top. He was the piece they needed to get over the hump and win their first World Series in franchise history. $800,000 a year was big money back then, now Kyle Kendrick makes twice that.

 

 

1 - Moses Malone, Free Agent signing, Sixers had to give Houston, Caldwell Jones & a 1st Round pick as compensation. Moses lead the Sixers to the promised land. He made a very good team that kept coming up short, great. The Sixers rolled through the 1982-83 season and playoffs. They lost 1 playoff game on their way to the title.

 

 

These lists are always good for discussion. Did I miss any great deals? Let me know.

 

Keep It Classy Philly!

 

DB29