Twins' all-time Top 5 in-season deals
Viola-for-Aguilera/Tapani trade in 1989 tops list for Minnesota
Will the Twins swing a deal before the July 31 Trade Deadline? Sometimes it takes years to determine how well a team did in a trade. With the benefit of hindsight, the following are the five most notable trades in franchise history that were conducted during the regular season, according to Twins beat writer Rhett Bollinger. Agree? Disagree? Comment below:
No. 1: July 31, 1989: Twins acquire Rick Aguilera, Tim Drummond, Kevin Tapani and David West from the Mets for Frank Viola. New York sent Jack Savage (Oct. 16, 1989) to Minnesota to complete the trade.
Fresh off winning the American League Cy Young Award in '88, Viola was shipped out the next season, as the Twins looked to rebuild their roster after winning the World Series in '87. Aguilera became a dominant closer, and Tapani emerged as a solid starter to help the Twins to their second World Series title in '91.
No. 2: April 10, 1982: Twins acquire Paul Boris, Ron Davis and Greg Gagne from the Yankees for Roy Smalley
Smalley was still a productive shortstop when he was traded, but the Twins were able to land their shortstop of the future in Gagne, who was a key contributor to their World Series titles in 1987 and '91, and was later elected to the Twins Hall of Fame. Ron Davis also registered 108 saves in five seasons with the Twins but also posted a 4.51 ERA.
No. 3: May 2, 1963: Twins acquire Jim Perry from the the Indians for Jack Kralick.
Kralick had established himself as a solid starter for the Twins, but Perry evolved into an ace for Minnesota for 10 years. The right-hander posted a 3.15 ERA during his time with the Twins and was later inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.
No. 4: Aug. 1, 1985: Twins acquire right-handed pitcher Bert Blyleven from the Indians for Jay Bell, Curt Wardle, Jim Weaver and a player to be named later. Minnesota sent Rich Yett (Sept. 17, 1985) to Cleveland to complete the trade.
Blyleven rejoined the Twins in a five-player trade and posted a 3.00 ERA the rest of the way. He later helped the club to the World Series title in 1987. The Hall of Famer was nearing the end of his career but was still an effective innings eater.
No. 5: July 16, 2003: Twins acquire Shannon Stewart from the Blue Jays for Bobby Kielty. Toronto sent Dave Gassner (Dec. 15, 2003) to Minnesota to complete the trade.
Stewart, a former first-round pick, hit .322 with six homers and 38 RBIs in 65 games for the Twins to help them to the postseason. He played three more years in Minnesota and hit .294 in 333 games with the Twins.