Saga with the Washington Nationals!
Trades between New York and Washington have run the gamut between World Series winners and utter disappointments.
The Yankees and Nationals (formerly Expos) don’t share the same extensive trade history as some other teams we’ve discussed in this series. Their transactions have mostly involved one team acquiring a player from the other’s roster. However, two trades at the close of the millennium stand out, as they brought the Yankees players who played crucial roles in winning two World Series titles.
Best Trade
On April 5, 1995, the Expos traded John Wetteland to the Yankees for Fernando Seguignol. While Wetteland’s personal history is troubling, the lack of significant trades between the two teams and his pivotal role in winning a World Series compelled us to highlight this 1995 trade. The Yankees needed bullpen help, and Wetteland’s acquisition proved crucial. He recorded 31 saves with a 2.93 ERA in his debut season, leading the AL with 43 saves in 1996 and earning World Series MVP as the Yankees secured their first title in 18 years.
Worst Trade
On December 16, 2003, the Yankees traded Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera, and Randy Choate to the Expos for Javier Vazquez. This trade, though initially promising, turned sour as Vazquez struggled in the Bronx. His subpar performance, especially in the 2004 ALCS, marked this trade as one of the Yankees’ worst.
Most Overlooked Trade
On December 22, 1999, the Yankees traded Hideki Irabu to the Expos for Jake Westbrook, with Ted Lilly and Christian Parker later added. Irabu, despite contributing to World Series victories, had a turbulent tenure with the Yankees. Westbrook, while making only three appearances for the Yankees, was eventually traded for David Justice, who played a crucial role in the Yankees’ 2000 championship run.
Weirdest Trade
On December 7, 2009, the Yankees traded Brian Bruney to the Nationals for a player to be named later, who turned out to be Jamie Hoffmann. This transaction was driven by the Yankees’ interest in players available in the Rule 5 Draft. Hoffmann was sent back to the Dodgers after the Yankees determined they had no use for him.
Other Trades of Note
– April 5, 1982: The Yankees traded Brad Gulden to the Expos for Bobby Ramos.
– October 26, 1982: The Yankees purchased Brad Gulden from the Expos.
– November 3, 1982: The Expos purchased Bobby Ramos from the Yankees.
Gulden, an unusual case of being traded for himself, went through a series of trades and purchases involving the Yankees and the Expos.
– December 4, 2007: The Nationals traded Jonathan Albaladejo to the Yankees for Tyler Clippard.
While seemingly minor, this trade favored the Nationals as Clippard went on to have a successful career with two All-Star appearances, contrasting with Albaladejo’s limited impact.
