Worst Trades in Astros History

The Houston Astros have had several periods of sustained success over the course of their franchise's history since debuting as the Houston Colt .45s in 1962. The team did not win a World Series until 2017, however, and that is surely due to the fact the Astros have made some bad trades that left them looking more than a little foolish in hindsight. A few of the trades stand out above the rest, starting with these four.

4. Ken Caminiti to the San Diego Padres

The late Ken Caminiti was with the Astros from 1987 to 1994. He was then traded to the San Diego Padres in a 12-player blockbuster deal. There, he won the NL MVP in 1996, made two All-Star Games, and his Padres even took down a 102-win Astros team in the 1998 NLDS on the way to the World Series. Caminiti did return to Houston for the 1999 and 2000 seasons, but his best years were behind him at that point.

3. Curt Schilling to the Philadelphia Phillies

The Astros traded Curt Schilling to the Phillies in 1992. / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Astros traded a young Curt Schilling to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Jason Grimsley. The latter never even reached the majors in a Houston uniform, while the former set off on a legendary career. Schilling made six All-Star Games and three World Series titles as a member of the Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Red Sox. Simply being more patient with Schilling would have paid massive dividends for Houston.

2. Kenny Lofton to the Cleveland Indians

The Astros traded Kenny Lofton to the Indians after one season. / Duane Prokop/Getty Images

Kenny Lofton debuted with the Astros in 1991 and appeared in 20 games. That was enough for the team to move on and trade him to the Cleveland Indians. Lofton proceeded to finish second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1992 and posted a WAR of at least 6.6 from 1992 to '94. He made six straight All-Star Games from 1994 through '99 and became a star in Cleveland before spending 1997 with the Atlanta Braves. Meanwhile, the Astros had three consecutive NLDS exits from '97 to '99.

1. Joe Morgan to the Cincinnati Reds

The Astros traded Joe Morgan to the Reds in 1971. / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

You know that Joe Morgan was actually with Houston from 1963 to 1971, right? He made two All-Star Games and was on a team that showed gradual improvement. The franchise then shipped him to Cincinnati, and the rest is history. Morgan made eight straight All-Star Games, won two World Series titles, five Gold Gloves, and two MVP awards as part of the iconic Big Red Machine. He did return to Houston in 1980 and took the team to the NLCS, but he was well past his prime at that point. Naturally, he entered the Hall of Fame with a Reds cap on.