Let’s play “Grade the Trade”. My first one is from December 16, 1976. The Reds trade first baseman Tony Perez and reliever Will McEnaney to the Montreal Expos for pitchers Woodie Fryman and Dale Murray.
1.
New Users – Get $250 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 5 days
Wagering (WR): New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days ($50 Bonus Bets per day)
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days.$5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA). ™/© 2026 MLB
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Min. Deposit: $5
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
3.
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonuses
Wagering (WR): New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonuses (Paid Over 14 Days)*, Min. Deposit: 5
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 10/11/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
4.
Get Up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)
5.
Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets
Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit
Best Alternative
Open FanDuel
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
I’m just spitballing here. Perez was 34 years old, and the Reds had a rising young player in Dan Driessen, who had just proved his worth as a DH in the 1976 World Series and could play either first or third. The Reds apparently felt they had to decide
on Driessen, and they certainly weren’t going to supplant Pete Rose at third.
Fryman would provide another LH starter with Norman to replace departed Don Gullett. Murray, who came in with a reputation of not giving up HRs (more on that later), would join reigning
Rolaids Relief Man of the Year
Eastwick and bolster the bullpen.
Perez would provide veteran leadership and offense for an up-and-coming Expos team.
How it worked out for the Reds
As Perez’s replacement, Driessen provided the Reds with some decent, steady production (the best season was 1977 with 17 HR, 91 RBI, .300 BA) for the next seven and a half seasons, but he was no Perez when it came to leadership.
Fryman was actually a 1976 All-Star coming in and went 5-5 with a 5.38 ERA before abruptly retiring from the game in July after bickering with Sparky Anderson over being sent to the bullpen after winning his last three decisions as a starter.
Murray had a decent W-L record in 1977 (7-2 with 4 saves), but also gave up 13 HRs, a staggering amount for a reliever, much less one who came in with a reputation for not giving up any. He pitched 15 games in 1978 before being traded to the Mets for Ken Henderson. Check out the top
baseball betting sites.
How it worked out for the Expos
Perez was far from finished as he gave the Expos three solid seasons (46 HR, 242 RBI) and helped steady the team while such talents as Gary Carter and Andre Dawson developed.
McEnaney lasted one season (W-L 3-5, 3.95 ERA, 3 saves) with the Expos and was out of baseball by 1979.
Grade for the Expos: B.
Good production and leadership from Perez at a time when they needed it. Not much from McEnaney.
Grade for the Reds: C.
This trade definitely hurt the Reds in the leadership department, but it’s hard to say they would have gotten back to the postseason if this trade hadn’t been made. The Dodgers’ talent all just came together and came into its own, plus Tommy John returned. Driessen was okay, but Fryman and Murray definitely didn’t give anything long-term.
Former Montreal Expo Tony Perez at The Big “O” – 1985
