The Five Worst Trades in the History of Houston Sports

There’s one thing worse than not making a trade, and that’s making a bad trade. And Houston sports fans have witnessed a lot of bad trades. Here, in my opinion, are the five worst.

Houston Astros closer

questioned owner Drayton McLane’s commitment to winning. On November 5, 2003, owner McLane answered by having Wagner traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitchers

,

and

. Wagner is still pitching at an All-Star level for the New York Mets. Buchholz is a reliever for the Colorado Rockies. Duckworth is currently in the Kansas City Royals minor league system. Astacio is out of baseball.

4. On April 2, 1992, the Houston Astros traded disgruntled reliever Curt Schilling to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jason Grimsley. Schilling would become an All Star best known for his bloody sock in the 2004 World Series. Grimsley would become best known for dealing steroids and HGH.

3. On December 10, 1991, the Astros decided to address their problems at catcher that arose when Craig Biggio moved to second base. So they traded centerfielder Kenny Lofton, along with infielder Dave Rhode, to the Cleveland Indians for catcher Eddie Taubensee and pitcher Willie Blair. Lofton would become an All Star. The Astros ended up having to make a trade a few years later for Brad Ausmus to handle the catching duties.

On November 29, 1971, the Astros traded All Star second baseman

, outfielder

, pitcher

, shortstop

and outfielder

to the Cincinnati Reds for infielders

and

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. The Astros sank into mediocrity. Morgan and Geronimo went on to become key cogs in the Big Red Machine. Morgan would also become a Hall of Famer.

1. On August 19, 1996, the Houston Rockets decided the team needed to be shaken up. So point guard Sam Cassell and power forward Robert Horry were dealt to the Phoenix Suns for All Star big mouth Charles Barkley. The Rockets have never recovered.

– John Royal

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