One of Cleveland’s better trades

Omar Vizquel with Cleveland

In one of their better trades over the last three decades, the Cleveland Indians 31 years ago today send pending free-agent first baseman Reggie Jefferson and light-hitting, but slick-fielding shortstop Felix Fermin to the Seattle Mariners for an ever better slick-fielding shortstop in Omar Vizquel.

Jefferson plays only one season in Seattle before signing with Boston, where he spends another five summers before playing a final season in 2000 with the Seibu Lions in the Japanese Pacific League.

Fermin spends two seasons in Seattle before finishing his major league career in 1996 with the Chicago Cubs.

As for Vizquel, he ends up playing 11 seasons in Cleveland and winning Gold Gloves in each of his first eight seasons there. Vizquel also helps Cleveland to six postseasons, including a pair of World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997 that bracket Fermin’s final season as a player.

After leaving Cleveland following the 2004 season, Vizquel spends another eight seasons in the majors, splitting his time between the San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.

By the time Vizquel finishes in the majors in 2012, he has 2,877 hits and 11 Gold Gloves. His retirement comes five years after Fermin begins his long managerial career in the Mexican League.