We have all seen them, whether we realize it or not. The players that are stars that haven't had the chance to sparkle as brightly as they can, or their skills have diminished somewhat. But then the magic word comes up in a player's career: Trade. The buzz begins on ESPN and other sports media outlets. All the analysts begin speculating how the player's arrival will change the team they're departing, the team they arrive on, and the sport as a whole. Not every athlete succeeds in these scenarios, but there certainly are those who SHINE.
5: CC Sabathia
This guy wasn't having his best year with the Indians, and had a rough time in the ALCS the year before. He appeared to be at a crossroad in his career, and had a losing record. He needed something to help. How about a trade?
The Cleveland Indians were a sinking ship, and Sabathia was sinking with them. Faster than you can say National League, CC was in Milwaukee.
On July 8, Sabathia stepped up for his first game as part of the Brew Crew. And boy did he like it there.
Sabathia went on to lead the league in complete games, and had multiple shutouts. Not to mention the controversial near no-hitter that dominated baseball headlines for close to a week after it occurred. He was almost an automatic win every time he stepped on the mound for Milwaukee, going 11-2 and leading them into the playoffs. They were eliminated in the first round, but the team may not have even had the opportunity to play in the post season if not for Sabathia. Wherever he ends up next season will be glad to have him, and his contract is going to have a lot of zeros on it.
4: Pau Gasol
In Memphis? His career had no foreseeable future. In Los Angeles? That's a very different story.
His scoring and rebounding averages took a slight hit, but we all know the trade saved him. When he left Memphis and the awful Grizzlies mid-season and went off to the playoff bound team in the Lakers he was all the sudden the talk of the town, on magazines and with stars that was worth playing with. He scored 18.8 points a game with them and gave the Lake Show a much-needed post presence with his physical play. You have to think that, assuming he, Bynum, and Kobe remain healthy, this Laker team is primed for another trip to the Finals.
3: Brett Favre
Some might say that his career was already brilliant and there was nothing to salvage, but the month coming up to his trade provides evidence to the contrary. Favre looked like the most confused man on the planet, conflicted between his loyalty to the Packers and his desire to play for another team. He came out of retirement play for the Jets, and just about everyone thought the results would be ugly. So far, they're wrong.
The New York Jets have been a mediocre to sub-par team in the past few years, going 8-8 or 9-7 with a QB in Chad Pennington that never quite made it over the hump. Favre, however, immediately came in and rejuvenated a proud fanbase and franchise.
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