In a 10-year career, pitcher Heathcliff Slocumb played for eight different teams. He was an All-Star selection in 1995 and collected 32 saves for the Phillies with a 2.89 ERA. In the offseason, he was traded to the Red Sox for three young utility players.

For the Sox in 1996, Slocumb was their primary closer with a fine 3.02 ERA and 31 saves. But the next season he had allowed 95 baserunners in 46 2/3 innings, had a 5.79 ERA, and was traded to Seattle for pitcher Derek Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek, in what is often cited in retrospect as one of the most one-sided trades in baseball history.

But at the time, Lowe had pitched in only 12 major league games with a 6.96 ERA, and Varitek had never played in the majors. Meanwhile, Slocumb was a widely respected closer.

Seattle had a lineup that included Ken Griffey Jr, Edgar Martinez, and Randy Johnson in their prime and a young A-Rod. But they had a weak bullpen and a terrible closer. So the deal at the time, was a good one for Seattle.

Although Slocumb helped the Mariners make the playoffs in 1997, his career had dissipated significantly by 1998 and he was never effective again. As for Lowe and Varitek ... we know their story.