MLB Off-Season Trades 2004-05 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Randy Johnson

After 17 seasons, winning a Cy Young in Seattle and four with the Diamondbacks, the 'Big Unit' was traded to the Yankees for pitchers Javier Vazquez and Brad Halsey, catcher Dioner Navarro, and cash. Vazquez went 14-10 in his seventh season, while Halsey was a rookie and appeared in eight games. Navarro did not last long as a Diamondback, and was traded to the Dodgers just days later in a deal involving Shawn Green.

Answer: Baltimore Orioles

In freeing up a lot of salary, the Cubs also received three proven players from the Orioles. They were second basemans Jerry Hairston Jr. and Mike Fontenot, and right-hand pitcher David Crouthers. While Sosa had 16 seasons and 574 home runs under his belt, the Cubs think they were on top of this one. In 2004, Hairston played in 86 games and batted .303.

Answer: St. Louis Cardinals

Mulder had pitched for five seasons in the Majors, all with Oakland. He was the American League Cy Young runner-up in 2001 to Roger Clemens of the Yankees. Both Haren and Calero appeared in mostly relief roles for the Cardinals. Barton, a 2005 rookie, did not play with the Cardinals in 2004.

Answer: Arizona Diamondbacks

Losing a power-hitter and defensive right fielder, along with cash, the Dodgers received four unproven players in trade. Dioner Navarro, who the Dodgers think will be their future catcher, also came with pitchers William Juarez, Danny Muegge, and Beltran Perez. Navarro was a Diamonback only for a few days, as he had just been traded from the Yankees as part of a trade that sent Randy Johnson packing to New York from Arizona.

Answer: Oakland Athletics

Kendall was a three-time all-star while batting .306 for the Pirates. The A's gave up two left-handed pitchers in the names of Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes. Redman started 32 games in 2004 with a 11-12 record, while Rhodes had nine saves and went 3-3. No cash was involved in the Kendall trade.

Answer: Washington Nationals

Guillen had played for six teams in eight seasons, carrying many documented issues with anger-management. The Angels had been trying to trade Guillen during the 2004 season, but finally sealed a deal with the Nationals, formerly Montreal Expos. The Angels received a proven Rivera, who started 134 games for the Expos, and Izturis who was a rookie in 2004.

Answer: Doug Mientkiewicz

The others were all 2004 Cleveland Indian infielders. After playing for six seasons with the Twins, Doug found himself as a member of the World Champions in 2004. However, he gave way to starting first baseman, Kevin Millar. The Red Sox received 2005 rookie first baseman, Ian Bladergroen in return.

Answer: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Royals got minor league pitcher Leon Nunez. In 2002, Santiago was voted NLCS MVP against the Cardinals, and was instrumental in putting the Giants into the World Series against the Angels, although they lost the World Series. Benito had already played for the Padres (ROY), Marlins, Reds, Phillies, Blue Jays, Cubs, and Royals.

Answer: A minor league pitcher

Ortiz had spent his entire career of six seasons as an Angel prior to this trade. After going 16-13 for the Angels in 2003, Ramon went only 5-7 in 2004. The Angels received minor league right-handed pitcher, Dustin Moseley.

Answer: Tim Hudson

The others listed were not pitchers, and had already retired prior to the 2004 season. Hudson spent his first six seasons with the A's, and had won in double-figures in each season, going 12-6 in 2004.