The ultimate example of a high risk, high reward deadline deal came in 2004 when the Astros acquired free-agent-to-be Carlos Beltran from the Royals in a three-team trade. Beltran carried the Astros in a furious comeback to the NL wild card and nearly to the World Series with eight HRs and 14 RBIs in 12 postseason games only to sign a nine-figure contract with the Mets in the offseason.