3 gut-wrenching NY Mets trades that will forever turn the stomach of fans

2) Nolan Ryan. Leroy Stanton, Don Rose, and Frank Estrada to the California Angels for Jim Fregosi on December 10, 1971

There are people who will say that there is another trade that is the worst in Mets history. But if you look at it strictly from a baseball acumen, an objective point of view rather than an emotional state of mind, THIS trade is the worst in Mets history – the Ryan for Fregosi trade.

There are stories about the trade that are a bit sketchy. People will say that Gil Hodges wanted the trade, that he was frustrated with Ryan’s lack of control and inability to harness his talents. That has proven not to be the case. The California Angels needed pitching and they wanted Gary Gentry. For some reason, Mets GM Bob Scheffing rejected that idea. And again for some reason, he offered up Nolan Ryan. And his excuse was lame: "But we've had him three full years and, although he's a hell of a prospect, he hasn't done it for us. How long can you wait?"

The Mets had already made two attempts to get a right handed hitting third baseman after Ed Charles retired at the conclusion of the 1969 campaign. They had already made an ill-advised trade giving up eventual All Star centerfielder Amos Otis for Kansas City Royals Joe Foy prior to 1970, and then Bob Aspromonte from the Atlanta Braves for the 1971 season in exchange for pitcher Ron Herbel. Neither worked out. So let’s try that again.

Jim Fregosi was an All Star shortstop. And while he was no Ernie Banks or Luis Aparicio, he was a fairly good offensive player for a shortstop. For a shortstop. What made the Mets hierarchy think he could be a third baseman, and power-hitting third baseman to boot, is beyond comprehension. But what the hell, taking third basemen from other teams and plugging them into their lineup hadn’t worked for the Mets, so why not move on to shortstops?

The trial of Jim Fregosi as a third baseman was as much of a disappointment as Joe Foy and Bob Aspromonte before him. He was damaged goods and the Angels never said anything. He at least lasted more than the one season, though. His brutal play, both offensively and defensively carried over into the 1973 season. And even with all of the injuries suffered to so many players that season, Fregosi was so bad that he couldn’t hang on to be a part of that Ya Gotta Believe season. The Mets were forced to cut him loose and be done with him.

But what made it an even a BIGGER disappointment was checking the box scores and seeing what Nolan Ryan was doing in Anaheim. It was like Superman had emerged from the phone booth with blue tights and red cape. The stats that Ryan compiled, and the seasons that he compiled, it’s just too heart-wrenching to mention. The pain would go on for YEARS.

And think about it. The Mets got Fregosi. The Angels not only got Ryan, but they got three other players as well. The Angels took advantage of the Mets and grabbed a haul that included a gem while the Mets got a single broken down and useless item.