7. Fred McGriff, Mike Morgan and cash for Tom Dodd and Dale Murray, 1982
Who are Tom Dodd and Dale Murray? If you were asking this question, then you understand why this trade is on the list.
Considered in terms of value sent versus value returned, this is possibly the worst trade in Yankees history.
Fred McGriff ended up hitting 493 home runs over his 19-year career. He received MVP consideration every year from 1988-1993. He was a prolific home run-hitting left-hander who would have benefitted from playing in Yankee stadium.
But McGriff was stuck behind Yankee legend Don Mattingly, who was in his prime. There seemed to be no room at the inn for McGriff. But this is the thing with prospects: you never know what they will become. Had the Yankees known, they might have found a spot for him.
Mike Morgan was no slouch himself. He put together a 22-year baseball career with several teams. He made an All-Star appearance in 1991 for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He helped the Arizona Diamondbacks defeat the Yankees in the 2001 World Series.
Morgan never stood out in any significant way. But he was good enough to hang on for a long career. The next player on our list was a standout player that was traded too soon.