Nolan Ryan, Francisco Estrada, Don Rose and Leroy Stanton for Jim Fregosi
From The Met Wiki
| Date: December 10, 1971 |
| Team: California Angels |
| Sent: Nolan Ryan, Francisco Estrada, Don Rose, Leroy Stanton |
| Received: Jim Fregosi |
In an attempt to improve their ongoing third base problem, the Mets made a deal with the California Angels on December 10, 1971. The team acquired Jim Fregosi for pitchers Nolan Ryan and Don Rose, catcher Francisco Estrada and outfielder Leroy Stanton. Although he had never played third base as a major leaguer, Fregosi was an All-Star shortstop with 11 years of experience. Ryan was an erratic pitcher who had set Mets records for walks in each of the previous two seasons. Rose, Estrada and Stanton were prospects on the verge of the majors.
The trade had disastrous results for the Mets. Fregosi was unsuccessful in his conversion to third base. He appeared in 102 games at the position (of 146 total games played) and batted .233 with five home runs and 43 RBIs. Jim was sold to the Texas Rangers during the 1973 season.
Ryan became an immediate success with the Angels. He led the American League in strikeouts six times in his eight seasons in Anaheim and became a perennial All-Star. Nolan went on to lengthy career that led to his Hall of Fame induction.
Estrada played two seasons in the Angels' minor league system before moving on to a 30-year playing career in Mexico. Rose had a 1-4 won-lost record and a 4.22 earned run average in 16 games for the Angels in '72, his only year with them. Stanton had five mediocre seasons with the Angels before joining the Seattle Mariners in 1977.
