August 1, 1989 – Mets trade Mookie Wilson to the Blue Jays
We can file this one right alongside the Grote deal. On August 1, 1989, the Mets traded away longtime fan favorite Mookie Wilson. A World Series hero right alongside Knight from 1986, the club was determined to get the most out of Juan Samuel in center field this season. They had already traded Lenny Dykstra to the Philadelphia Phillies to land Samuel. Trading Wilson was the next logical step for them.
It did make sense at the time. In 262 trips to the plate, Wilson was hitting .205. However, we should realize he picked things up once he joined the Toronto Blue Jays. Wilson finished the season in Canada hitting .298. Able to play more often with the Blue Jays, he turned back the clock and would actually give them another good season in 1990.
As for the Mets, they didn’t get much out of this trade other than a cleared roster spot. Jeff Musselman and Mike Brady were the two pieces they received for Wilson. Only Musselman ever reached the majors. While effective in 1989 out of the bullpen, he wasn’t able to do enough to help the team get back to the postseason.
The loss of Wilson was one of many the Mets experienced in the late 1980s and early 1990s. An era was officially over.