Indians' all-time Top 5 in-season trades
2002 deal with Expos netted three future stars in Lee, Phillips and Sizemore
Will the Indians swing a deal before the July 31 Trade Deadline? Sometimes it takes years to determine how well a team did in a trade. With the benefit of hindsight, the following are the five most notable trades in franchise history that were conducted during the regular season, according to MLB.com reporter Jordan Bastian. Agree? Disagree? Comment below:
1. June 27, 2002: Indians receive second baseman Brandon Phillips, outfielder Grady Sizemore, left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee and first baseman Lee Stevens from the Expos for right-handed pitchers Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew.
Colon pitched well down the stretch for the Expos and has continued an up-and-down career, which included winning the 2005 American League Cy Young Award with the Angels. Sizemore and Lee developed into All-Stars for the Indians, with Lee capturing the AL Cy Young for the Tribe in 2008. Phillips also became an All-Star, but he did so after being traded to the Reds in a 2006 swap.
2. April 12, 1916: Before the start of the season, the Indians receive outfielder Tris Speaker from the Red Sox for right-handed pitcher Sad Sam Jones, infielder Fred Thomas and cash.
Speaker continued his Hall of Fame career with 11 seasons with the Indians. He served as a player-manager from 1919-26 and helped guide Cleveland to a World Series triumph in 1920.
3. June 14, 1979: Indians receive first baseman Mike Hargrove from San Diego for outfielder Paul Dade.
Hargrove went on to spend seven years with the Indians as a player in the defining years of his career. He later managed Cleveland for nine seasons from 1991-99, posting a 721-591 record at the helm and helping lead the ballclub to two American League pennants.
4. July 14, 1992: Indians received right-handed pitcher Jose Mesa from the Orioles for outfielder Kyle Washington.
Mesa spent parts of seven seasons with the Indians, saving 105 games after being named the team's closer in 1995. In that season, he posted a 1.13 ERA with 46 saves to finish second and fourth, respectively, in voting for the AL Cy Young Award and AL Most Valuable Player Award. Mesa was a two-time All-Star with Cleveland.
5. June 30, 2006: Indians receive shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera from the Mariners for first baseman Eduardo Perez.
Cabrera is in his seventh season with the Indians and is currently considering one of the better offensive and defensive shortstops in the AL. The switch-hitter is a two-time All-Star and took home a Silver Slugger Award in 2011.