We are forever trying to determine “who won that trade” in an instant, when there are often shifts and turns over time, making full judgment hard until all the information is in.
In 1996, the Yankees were clobbered instantly for an in-season trade with Milwaukee that brought damaged goods in Pat Listach and a guy who pitched horribly in Graeme Lloyd. Then Lloyd dominated lefty hitters in the playoffs, and was a vital piece to a championship and another in 1998.
So the early read on all the Astros gave up for Ken Giles and the Diamondbacks for Shelby Miller is troubling after both struggled mightily in their first month in a new locale.