Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Grade the Trade: Ruben Amaro's Top Five Trades

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Jonathan Papelbon against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Papel-gone

Phillies get Nick Pivetta

The Jonathan Papelbon trade is arguably the most under-rated move of the Ruben Amaro Jr. regime. RAJ was somehow able to move Papelbon despite his questionable character and declining talents.

Minor league pitcher Nick Pivetta came over to Philadelphia in the deal, and has become one of the Phillies best pitching prospects. Pivetta was promoted to Triple-A after winning 11 games with Reading and flashing a 3.41 ERA. His ERA in Lehigh Valley was even better in his five appearances, dipping to 2.55 and striking out 27 batters.

Between moving Papelbon and getting a quality pitcher in return, you have to mention this deal when looking for a move by RAJ that actually worked out for the Phillies.

May 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Marlon Byrd (9) shown in the dugout during the game against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Reds 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

4. Bye bye Byrd-y

Phillies get RHP, Ben Lively

Similar to the Papelbon trade, the Phillies were able to move a veteran player on the decline with no future in the city.

Re-signing Marlon Byrd in the first place may be among Amaro’s worst moves, but the trade made up for his ineptitude. Ben Lively was nearly perfect in Reading this year, finishing with a 1.87 ERA in nine starts. He earned a promotion to Lehigh Valley, where he was just as impressive.

In 19 starts for the Iron Pigs, Lively had a 3.06 ERA, and was named one of the Phillies top prospects in 2016. He will compete for a job in the Phillies starting rotation in 2017, but will most likely start in Triple-A and arrive in September.

Feb 19, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee (33) fields a ball during spring training workouts at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

3. Cliff Lee Part 1

Phillies get LHP, Cliff Lee; OF Ben Francisco

The first time the Phillies made the move to acquire Cliff Lee, the Phillies were thinking back-to-back World Series. Lee finished the season third in the Cy Young voting and nearly beat the Yankees by himself in 2009.

What makes the move even better is the majority of the prospects did not pan out for Cleveland. Carlos Carrasco has finally turned a corner, but is currently injured and not active for the World Series. If he was healthy all season, he could be a Cy Young candidate and the World Series might be over already.

Sep 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Knapp the Phillies 10th ranked prospect, has not played since 2014, and never reached past Advanced-A in the Rangers organization. Jason Donald was the next big infielder expected to come through the Phillies system, but Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley blocked the fourth ranked prospect from moving up. Donald played three seasons in Cleveland, but has not played for a major league organization since 2014.

Lou Marson appeared in eight games for the Phillies behind the plate, and hit a home run in his only game in 2008. With Carlos Ruiz winning the starting job for the long-term future, Marson went to Cleveland and appeared in 253 games over parts of five seasons. He hit .217 with 46 extra-base hits with the Indians, and last played for the Reds Double-A team in 2015.

Considering Lee helped lead the Phillies to a World Series appearance, you can deem the move a success. Young players were moved for talent at the right time, unlike the Oswalt, Pence, or Michael Young deals.

Apr 24, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay (34) delivers to the plate during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

2. I Need a Doctor

Phillies get RHP, Roy Halladay

If the Phillies kept Cliff Lee after this trade and won another World Series or two with Halladay, Lee and Hamels, this deal would be number one. The Phillies got their crafty veteran ace after requiring the services of Pedro Martinez late in 2009.

Feb 26, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kyle Drabek throws during spring training workouts at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Drabek was the Phillies top pitching prospect, and many fans did not want to see him go. The son of a former major league pitcher, Drabek was considered the future homegrown ace. Drabek’s career never got on track, and has dealt with injuries since being promoted. He has pitched in 12.2 innings since 2013, and made one relief appearance with the Diamondbacks in 2016.

Travis D’Arnaud should be a familiar name to Phillies fans. Toronto traded the catcher to the Mets in the R.A. Dickey deal that also included Noah Synndergard. D’Arnaud is the Mets starting catcher, but is on the low-end compared to most starters right now. He has a .245 batting average in 281 games and finished seventh in the Rookie of the Year.

Michael Taylor is the final player moved for Halladay. Toronto promptly flipped him to Oakland for Brett Wallace. Taylor played 26 games across three seasons for the A’s before being traded to the White Sox. Chicago would later cut Taylor, only to re-sign him that same winter. Taylor has not appeared in a Major League game since 2014, and retired in 2015.

October 6, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

1. Start of Something Special

Phillies get SP, Matt Harrison, C Jorge Alfaro, RHP Jerad Eickhoff, OF Nick Williams, RHP Alec Asher and RHP Jake Thompson.

One of Ruben Amaro Jr’s last trades was ultimately his best, and it involved sending Cole Hamels to Texas. It’s also the only one where he traded a young talent in exchange for a package of prospects.