Baseball's trade tree concept traces how one deal spawns successive transactions across decades. Analyst Wilytics identified 2,487 trade trees historically. The first modern tree began Dec. 15, 1900, when Cincinnati sent Christy Mathewson to the New York Giants for Amos Rusie, a lineage lasting a quarter-century under John McGraw.

The Delmon Young tree remains remarkably active. Since Tampa Bay acquired Young in 2008, the Rays have harvested 71.5 b WAR versus Minnesota's 0.2 b WAR. The chain: Young→Matt Garza→Chris Archer→Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, Shane Baz. Subsequent flips yielded Christopher Morel, catcher Caden Bodine (.351 average), draft pick Taj Marchand (No. 33), plus Jonny De Luca and Ryan Pepiot. With Tampa Bay's penchant for recycling talent, this tree shows no sign of dying.

Even more prolific is the Jerry Dybzinski tree. Traded to the White Sox for Pat Tabler on April 1, 1983, Dybzinski lasted two years; Tabler became an All-Star for Cleveland, then was dealt for Bud Black, sprouting branches that continue producing value today.