Fansided

Each MLB team’s best trade ever

By Joshua Sadlock

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers takes a swing during an at-bat in a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 19, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 6-2. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers takes a swing during an at-bat in a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 19, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 6-2. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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Nolan Ryan proudly displays baseballs in his right hand after the no-hitter game he pitched earlier today. This is the fourth no-hitter game he has pitched.
Nolan Ryan proudly displays baseballs in his right hand after the no-hitter game he pitched earlier today. This is the fourth no-hitter game he has pitched. /

Los Angeles Angels: Nolan Ryan from the Mets, 1971

  • Angels get: Nolan Ryan, Frank Estrada, Don Rose, Leroy Stanton
  • New York Mets get: Jim Fregosi

Jim Fregosi was one of the first big stars for the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, making six trips to the All-Star Game in the 1960s. Most of his value came in that he was an above-average hitter at shortstop in an era where middle infielders were still valued more for their glovework. Fregosi picked up over 1,400 hits in 11 years with the Angels, but they never made the playoffs during his time with the franchise.

While Fregosi was a solid player, labeling him the first “superstar” of the Angels is a stretch. That honor goes to Nolan Ryan. At the time of the trade, Ryan was still a raw, young pitcher in the Mets rotation who threw hard but often did not know where the ball was going when it left his hand. He had a losing record in five seasons with the Mets and walked over six per nine.

Ryan’s career finally took off when he was dealt to the California Angels. He struck out over 300 hitters in each of his first three seasons after the trade, including the MLB record of 383 in 1973. Ryan would spend eight seasons with the Angels, posting a 138-121 record with five trips to the All-Star Game and five MLB strikeout crowns (and six MLB walk “crowns”). He also threw the first four of his MLB record seven no-hitters during his time with the Angels.

In 1979, Ryan helped pitch the Angels to their first playoff berth ever. They were managed that year by none other than Jim Fregosi, who would skipper the Angels for four years. He was the manager of the 1993 Phillies team that nearly won the World Series.

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