Montreal Expos trade Jeff Reardon to Minnesota Twins for Neal Heaton.

On February 3, 1987, the Montreal Expos made a significant trade with the Minnesota Twins. The Expos traded relief pitcher Jeff Reardon to the Twins in exchange for starting pitcher Neal Heaton. This trade had a significant impact on both teams and the players involved.

At the time of the trade, Jeff Reardon was a highly regarded relief pitcher. He had been an integral part of the Expos’ bullpen since joining the team in 1981. Reardon was known for his ability to close out games and was considered one of the top relief pitchers in the league. However, the Expos felt that they needed to make a change and decided to trade Reardon to the Twins.

In return for Reardon, the Expos acquired Neal Heaton, a starting pitcher who had been with the Twins since 1983. While Heaton was not as well-known as Reardon, the Expos believed that he could bring some stability to their starting rotation. Heaton had shown promise in his previous seasons with the Twins and the Expos were hopeful that he could continue to develop and contribute to the team.

The trade was a significant move for both teams. The Twins were in need of a reliable closer and Reardon fit the bill perfectly. Reardon went on to have a successful career with the Twins, becoming their all-time saves leader. His presence in the bullpen helped the Twins win the World Series in 1987, where he played a crucial role in their championship run.

On the other hand, the Expos hoped that Neal Heaton could provide some much-needed stability to their starting rotation. While Heaton’s time with the Expos was not as memorable as Reardon’s with the Twins, he did contribute solid performances during his time with the team. Heaton remained with the Expos until the end of the 1989 season before moving on to play for other teams in the league.

Overall, the trade between the Montreal Expos and the Minnesota Twins on February 3, 1987, had a significant impact on both teams. Jeff Reardon became integral to the Twins’ success, helping them win the World Series in 1987, while Neal Heaton brought stability to the Expos’ starting rotation during his time with the team.

In retrospect, the trade can be seen as beneficial for both sides. The Twins acquired a reliable closer who played a crucial role in their championship win, while the Expos received a starting pitcher who provided stability to their rotation. However, it is always challenging to assess the true value of such trades as the performance and contributions of players can vary greatly over time.

The trade between the Expos and the Twins on February 3, 1987, serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of trades in professional sports. While teams make trades with the hope of improving their chances of success, the outcome can often be uncertain. The impact of this particular trade may have differed from initial expectations, but it undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping the trajectories of the players and teams involved.