This is a question that has always bothered me, because while I know that trading for an "ace" has paid off in getting a particular team to the postseason, i'm not quite sold on their ability to help a franchise to a World Series ring.In order to figure this out, i've compiled a small list of trades for "aces", but it's admittedly incomplete. However, I still wanted to post about it because I would like to be educated by anybody else out there who remember deals for an "ace" that either lead to the team succeeding or failing.
I think this is a highly pertinent question for the current Dodger squad, as this is a team looking to deal for parts that won't necessarily change the odds of making the postseason, but whose value will be derived directly from their ability to produce a World Series trophy.
So no, I don't know the answer to the titular question, and I know there are those out there who think I am harping on this topic a little too much, but I believe my "obsession" with this topic is warranted, especially because a huge deal like this would represent a large scale change for a first place team. Heck, even Jon Weisman over at Dodger Thoughts has been touching on the Roy Halladay subject daily since Bill Shaikin's article was published.
Anyway, on with my little list.
-Atlanta Braves Trade Doyle Alexander To The Detroit Tigers For John Smoltz
Alexander may have not been an "ace" to begin with, but he certainly performed like one after the Tigers traded for him to bolster their rotation.
In a little over a month and a half, Alexander started 11 games while posting a 1.53 ERA. In the postseason, however, he faltered, losing both games he started in the ALCS, and finishing with an ERA of 10.00.
Result-Lost In ALCS
-Seattle Mariners Trade Mark Langston And Mike Campbell To The Montreal Expos For Randy Johnson, Gene Harris, And Brian Holman
In a little over four months, Langston started 24 games and carried an ERA of 2.39. Unfortunately, the Expos still managed to miss the playoffs altogether, finishing the season at .500.
Result-Didn't Make Playoffs
-New York Mets Trade David Cone To The Toronto Blue Jays For Jeff Kent And Ryan Thompson
In a months time, Cone made 8 appearances and posted an ERA of 2.55. In the playoffs, he made a combined 4 starts in the ALCS and WS, going 1-1 with a 3.22 ERA.
Result-Won World Series
-Toronto Blue Jays Trade David Cone To The New York Yankees For Marty Janzsen, Jason Jarvis, And Mike Gordon
Cone started 13 games for the Yankees and had an ERA of 3.82. He ended up starting two games in the ALDS, going 1-0 with a 4.60 ERA.
Result-Lost In ALDS
-Seattle Mariners Trade Randy Johnson To The Houston Astros For Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen, And John Halama
In two months with the Astros, Johnson started 11 games and posted a 1.28 ERA. In the postseason, he started two games in the NLDS and lost both of them, but posted a 1.93 ERA.
Result-Lost In NLDS
-Florida Marlins Trade Brad Penny, Hee Seop Choi, And Bill Murphy To The Los Angeles Dodgers For Paul Lo Duca, Juan Encarnacion, And Guillermo Mota
Penny started 3 games for the Dodgers, posting a 3.09 ERA. However, he had to be shutdown for the year with arm problems soon after.
Result-Lost In NLDS
-Cleveland Indians Trade C.C. Sabathia To The Milwaukee Brewers For Matt LaPorta, Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson, And Michael Brantley
In almost a 3 month span, Sabathia started 17 games and possesed a sparkling 1.65 ERA. He lost the only game he started in the playoffs, ending with a 12.27 ERA.
Result-Lost In NLDS
