Revisiting the Expos-Red Sox Trade Involving Pedro Martinez and Carl Pavano

Following the 1997 season, Montreal Expos star right-hander Pedro Martinez was set to command big money in free agency. However, the club couldn't afford to pay him, and rather than let him walk for nothing, Montreal chose to trade him to the Boston Red Sox for a pair of minor league pitchers.

Expos fans will be quick to remember that Montreal made out like bandits when they initially acquired Martinez in a trade with the Dodgers in 1993, but how did the organization end up in this deal?

Expos-Red Sox Pedro Martinez Trade Details

Expos receive: Carl Pavano and Tony Armas Jr.

Red Sox receive: Pedro Martinez

In sevens seasons with Boston, Martinez notched one of the most dominant stretches of pitching in baseball history, which included back-to-back Cy Young awards in 1999 and 2000. In 201 starts for the Red Sox, Martinez went 117-37 with a 2.52 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 1,683 strikeouts. He even won a World Series in his final season with the club in 2004.

Pavano and Armas, meanwhile, enjoyed anything but success with the Expos. The former registered a 24-35 record and a 4.83 ERA across five injury-plagued seasons, while the latter logged a 48-60 mark alongside a 4.45 ERA in 151 starts over eight seasons with Montreal, which later relocated and became the Washington Nationals in 2004.

Who Won the Trade?

Let's see: Martinez hoisted two Cy Young awards, a World Series ring, and won over 58% of his starts with Boston. In return, the Expos received two young hurlers that were largely ineffective during their time with the team.

We'll go with the Red Sox!