Five Alltime Blockbusters

The top trades in baseball history in terms of the marquee value of the players on both sides of the deal:

1. May 15, 1998: Dodgers trade C Mike Piazza and 3B Todd Zeile to Marlins for OF Gary Sheffield, C Charles Johnson, 3B Bobby Bonilla, OF Jim Eisenreich and P Manuel Barrios.

Comment: Four 30-home run men, a three-time Gold Glove catcher, 15 All-Star appearances and $108.1 million worth of contracts.

2. Dec. 5, 1990: Blue Jays trade SS Tony Fernandez and IB Fred McGriff to Padres for OF Joe Carter and 2B Roberto Alomar.

Comment: Four present and future All-Stars in their primes are moved without contract problems as the impetus. Toronto goes on to win World Series in 1992 and '93.

3. April 17, 1960: Indians trade OF Rocky Colavito to Tigers for OF Harvey Kuenn.

Comment: The reigning American League home run champ is swapped for the league's reigning batting champ.

4. Dec. 20, 1926: Cardinals trade 2B Rogers Hornsby (above) to Giants for 2B Frankie Frisch and P Jimmy Ring.

Comment: Hornsby's contract squabble prompts a trade of future Hall of Famers.

5. April 2, 1976: Athletics trade OF Reggie Jackson, P Ken Holtzman and a minor leaguer to Orioles for OF Don Baylor, P Mike Torrez and P Paul Mitchell.