Today we talk 2015 and the trade that landed the second major building block of FCM's greatest rotation. The New York Yankees were coming off a wildly successful 2014. They won 105 games in 2014 and went to the World Series to face the Florida Marlins. The Yankees handled business and were looking to repeat in 2015. Their 2014 was successful, but their RA/G was very average. They started to remedy this in 2014 (we'll get to that another time), but in 2015 they went all in with the model that would bring them two titles: Aces, Aces, and more Aces.
The San Fransisco Giants were coming off an NL West Title in 2014, but an early playoff exit. In 2015 they faced the hard charging San Diego Padres who would later go on to win the NL West. A month before the trade deadline they actively went out shopping Tim Lincecum, hoping to maximize his value to the franchise.
Tiny Tim was a 4 time all-star, 2 time Cy Young, and former World Champion. His 2014 was marred by injuries and he managed just three starts. Fearing for his long-term durability and an 11-4 start with a 2.69 ERA, Tim was a huge trade chip for the Giants. What did they land for him?
The Yankees sent RP Ricky Winston, P Jim Wrightson, P Cory Montoya, P Fredric Olica, P Timmy Mosby, and CF Jose Martinesz. At the time it was a very big haul - the problem is that it turned into a very, very mediocre haul.
Let's start by analyzing the prospects - the players I would argue doomed the Giant franchise to the miserable run they've had since. Jose Martinesz managed 800 at-bats in his career but a pitiful .228 BA and a .616 OPS in those at-bats. Clearly a non-factor. Fredric Olica appeared in just 58 games, recording 6 saves. He was released by the Giants shortly after the deal and was also a complete non-factor.
Ricky Winston appeared in 141 games going 8-13 with a 4.72 ERA with 24 saves in 35 chances. His cup of tea lasted just three seasons in FCM. Another non-factor. Corey Motoya managed to get into 146 games, but his 18-25 record with a 5.69 ERA and 5 saves in 13 tries was equally unimpressive. That's 4 of 6 players are non-factors.
Jimmy Wrightson has actually seen a lengthy career in FCM. Wrightson was dealt later for Matthew Hurst (value!) but his career was mediocre at best, pitching in 105 games with 90 starts. His career record is 33-31 with a 4.95 ERA and 345 strikeouts. Jim is currently an unsigned FA. The headliner of the prospects was Timmy Mosby. Timmy has appeared in 297 games, making 182 starts with 4 teams. His career record is 71-81 with a 4.32 ERA, 6 saves, and 869 strikeouts. He managed to have a very good season in Atlanta in 2022 going 15-6 with a 3.49 ERA. Otherwise, a very unspectacular career. That's 6 prospects - 6 duds.
And the Yankees, in turn, landed Tim Lincecum. He went on to finish off a Cy Young in 2015, win a World Series in 2020, and appear in 5 more all-star games as a Yankee. He had a record of 108-68 only once recording an ERA over 4 and three times recording under 3. Tim was a dominant starter for 7 and a half seasons for the Yankees and the bonafide ace on a rotation full of aces. There is no question his presence in 2020 was a big part of the championship run of the Yankees.
So this trade was one of three deals establishing FCM's greatest rotation, leading to a World Championship, and 6 straight playoff appearances. For the Giants, the failure to get any talent out of this deal was an utter failure that has resulted in a series of ruined seasons that are still on-going today. It decimated an NL West power, fortified an AL East power, and was essential for FCM's best ever rotation.
Next Up, we enter the top 10. FCM's 10th Most Impactful Trade: "One of FCM's Most Underated...Catapults the Champs"
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