Revisiting the Yankees-Blue Jays Trade Involving Roger Clemens and David Wells

Following the 1996 season, Roger Clemens signed a four-year, $40 million contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Clemens went on to to win back-to-back AL Cy Young honors in 1997 and 1998, but he didn't have a playoff appearance to show for it. Eventually, Toronto's front office recognized that dealing the disgruntled Clemens to a contender was the only way forward.

In February of the 1999 offseason, the Blue Jays struck a deal with the New York Yankees.

Yankees-Blue Jays Roger Clemens Trade Details

Yankees acquire: Roger Clemens

Blue Jays acquire: David Wells, Homer Bush and Graeme Lloyd

Clemens' five-year stint with New York was highlighted by a stellar 2001 campaign when he finished 20-3 with a 3.51 ERA and 213 strikeouts in over 220 innings. The 11-time All-Star helped contribute to World Series titles in both 1999 and 2000 with the Yanks.

As for the Blue Jays, the aging Wells spent two years with the club before he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Brian Simmons, Mike Williams, Kevin Beirne, and Mike Sirotka -- none of whom came close to thriving in the MLB.

Bush was a promising infield prospect and enjoyed a stellar 1999 season. However, injuries would take their toll on the St. Louis native and he only appeared in 154 games total over the next two years before he was released by Toronto in 2002.

Finally, we have Lloyd, who logged a 3.63 ERA in his lone season with the Blue Jays. He signed with the Montreal Expos as a free agent after the 1999 season.

Who Won the Trade?

Clemens was a lethal component of a rotation that helped the Yankees hoist the Commissioner's Trophy in back-to-back seasons. New York technically won three in a row, but the 1998 title obviously came prior to Clemens' arrival.

The Pinstripes won this deal with their AL East rival by a landslide.