Back when Mark Mulder was part of ‘The Big Three’ in Oakland, the general consensus was that Oakland was sitting on World Series potential pitching talent.

Then, one night a few years ago, Oakland GM Billy Beane tore it all down. In a heartbeat, and there were a few skipped that night, I assure you, both Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder were spun off for prospects in a move that shocked the baseball establishment.

The Tim Hudson side of that trade equation didn’t necessarily work out so well, but the Mark Mulder trade wasn’t just a success, it continues to grow in the level of its success, even today.

Over at Athletics Nation, user MrFox has put together a visual history of that trade, and it’s simply incredible how that one daring deal has snowballed in the time since.

In essence, for Mark Mulder, Oakland got (with asterisks denoting a player who has made the majors):

Kiko Calero *
Daric Barton *
Dan Haren *

Then, as Haren blossomed and was sent to Arizona for more prospects, the A’s got:

Dana Eveland *
Greg Smith *
Carlos Gonzalez
Aaron Cunningham
Chris Carter
Brett Anderson 

Beane turned one major league star into 5, with four more on the way - and when Barton or Eveland or Smith get traded away at some point in the future, chances are they’ll bring more prospects still.

Turning one asset that you’re about to lose into nine assets you can hold for the next four or five years? That’s Moneyball.

(Let’s just not talk about the Hudson trade - thanks.)