Lee Stevens, 32, batted .282 with 31 doubles, 24 home runs and 81 RBI with the Rangers last season. He started 130 games at first base to go along with eight other starts as designated hitter. He was fourth on the club in doubles and homers while setting career highs for games (146), at bats (517), runs (76), hits (146), doubles, homers, RBI and walks (52). The1999 season also marked his third consecutive campaign with 20 or more homers and he has now accumulated 82 home runs and 304 RBI over parts of seven MLB seasons. The sure-handed fielder also finished fifth among American League first basemen with a .994 fielding percentage, committing only eight errors in 1296 total chances. The 6'4", 235 pounder was the Player of the Month for April 1999 after hitting .354 with 8 homers and 17 RBI.

"Lee is a tremendous addition to our club. He brings not only power to the middle of our line-up, but also a great glove at first base," said the new owner of the Montreal Expos, Jeffrey Loria. " This trade is just another example of the Expos' committment to making this club exciting and competitive for our fans starting right now."

Stevens, who was a Spring Training invitee with the Montreal Expos in 1993, made his professional debut in the California Angels' organization in 1986 after he was a first round draft pick ( 22nd overall ) in the 1986 June Draft. He also is one of the few players to have played in Japan, 1994-1995, who returned to further his career in the major leagues before signing with the Texas Rangers in 1996.

The Montreal Expos were worried that teams would attempt to pitch around Vladimir Guerrero, who is on the verge of becoming the best power hitter in the National League and Lee Stevens, right now, has the most power of those involved in this trade meaning Guerrero won't get a lot of walks. The Toronto Blue Jays were probably going to waste the defensive prowess of David Segui using him mostly as a DH because their top slugger, Carlos Delgado, considered less than average with the glove, insists on playing first base. Brad Fullmer, the youngest player in the transaction, has the most upside potential, who, after a slow start in 1999, hit .302 after the All-Star break. Also, as a DH his poor fielding won't be a problem. The Texas Rangers are worried about the knees of Gold Glove first baseman Rafael Palmeiro but there won't be any consistency dropoff when he gets a breather as DH while Segui fills in at first.

This may very well be the first and only three-cornered transaction in MLB history involving only first basemen.

Special to Canadian Baseball News – 16 March 2000