Nolan Ryan to the Angels (1971)

The Mets' deal of Nolan Ryan remains one of baseball's most lopsided trades. Ryan went on to amass 5,714 career strikeouts—nearly 2,000 more than the average Hall of Fame pitcher—and throw seven no-hitters. In exchange, New York received Jim Fregosi, who hit just .232 over two seasons with the team before being traded. The trade outperforms #6 in sheer longevity of impact, as Ryan's 27-year career far outlasted the five rings of Kobe Bryant’s trade fallout. The Mets paid $50,000 in cash to sweeten the deal, adding financial insult to competitive injury.