Andrew Friedman stayed busy in his nine seasons as Rays executive vice president, constantly churning the roster — including 54 trades that brought in 77 players — in search of ways to build the team and keep it competitive with one of the game's smallest budgets. Many of his deals and signings worked out, but not all. Here is a look at five of his best and worst decisions: The good … • Trading INF/OF Aubrey Huff to Astros for unheralded INF/OF Ben Zobrist (plus RHP Mitch Talbot ) in July 2006.• Signing 1B Carlos Pe ña to a minor-league deal just before spring training 2007.• Trading OF Delmon Young to the Twins for SS Jason Bartlett and RHP Matt Garza , key pieces in the 2008 World Series run.• Trading INF Akinori Iwamura , who wasn't going to be re-signed after the 2009 season, to the Pirates for RHP Jesse Chavez , who was then traded to the Braves for closer Rafael Soriano .• Trading Garza to the Cubs in January 2011 for a five-player package that included RHP Chris Archer and SS prospect Hak-Ju Lee , plus C Robinson Chirinos and OFs Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer . The bad … • Leaving Josh Hamilton exposed to be taken in the 2006 Rule 5 draft of minor-leaguers after getting the former top pick back on the field after repeated drug suspensions.• Selecting INF Tim Beckham rather than C Buster Posey with the top pick of the 2008 draft.• Signing OF/DH Pat Burrell to a two-year, $16 million deal after the 2008 World Series season.• Trading C John Jaso to the Mariners for RHP Josh Lueke in November 2011, leading to an ongoing quest for a frontline catcher that has seen them sign (and re-sign) Jose Molina and trade for Ryan Hanigan .• Signing RHP Grant Balfour before the 2014 season for $13 million over two years. Not clear yet … • Trading RHPs James Shields and Wade Davis to Royals for OF Wil Myers , RHP Jake Odorizzi , LHP Mike Montgomery and INF Patrick Leonard .• Acquiring SS Yunel Escobar from Marlins in December 2012 for minor-league INF Derek Dietrich , then signing Escobar to a two-year extension.• Trading LHP David Price to Tigers in three-way deal for LHP Drew Smyly , INF Nick Franklin , INF prospect Willy Adames . Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
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