The trade that brought Pedro Martínez to Montreal before the 1994 season is a landmark moment in Expos history. Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for second baseman Delino DeShields, this slender right-hander with an explosive, whip-like delivery quickly defied the idea that he was too slight to handle the physical demands of a major league starter. Over four remarkable summers in Quebec, Martínez evolved his raw, high-velocity pitches into a dominant force in the major leagues.

His debut before the Olympic Stadium crowd was immediately memorable. In the challenging 1994 season, Martínez served as a crucial yet overlooked driver for the remarkable Expos team, which led Major League Baseball with a 74–40 record before the players' strike unexpectedly ended their championship hopes. That summer, he posted an 11–5 record, demonstrating that his powerful fastball and developing changeup could consistently deceive top major league hitters.

As the organization was gradually compelled to dismantle its core due to increasing financial constraints, Martínez individually took on the burden of carrying the franchise. He achieved his first career All-Star selection in 1996 with 222 strikeouts, but this was just a preview of the extraordinary, record-breaking performance he delivered in 1997.

That 1997 campaign remains one of the most exceptional single-season pitching performances ever observed on a Major League mound. Martínez entirely incapacitated National League batters, transforming the strike zone into his personal domain. He achieved a remarkable 17–8 record while leading the major leagues with a microscopic, modern-era 1.90 ERA and delivering an extraordinary league-high of 13 complete games. He employed precise, high-pressure command to record an impressive 305 strikeouts over 241.1 innings, becoming the first right-handed pitcher since Walter Johnson in 1912 to reach the 300-strikeout threshold with an ERA below 2.00. This outstanding, elite performance designated him as the first—and only—pitcher in Montreal Expos history to be awarded the National League Cy Young Award.

Just as he established himself as a global superstar, the harsh realities of Montreal's small-market economics forced a change. Recognizing they lacked the financial means to offer their young star a market-value contract extension, the front office traded their key player to the Boston Red Sox in November 1997. Martínez would go on to achieve immortal status in baseball in New England, but the foundation of his legendary peak was laid during his time with the Expos.

Martínez was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. As an Expo, he played 118 games (117 starts), with a 55–33 record, 3.06 ERA, and 1.09 WHIP. He pitched 797.1 innings, with 20 complete games, eight shutouts, 843 strikeouts, and a 135 ERA+.

Marquis Grissom's rise in Montreal exemplifies dynamic outfield play. Drafted by the Expos in 1988 from Florida A&M, he debuted in late 1989 after minimal minor league time. With an explosive first step and great instincts, he made the leadoff spot at Stade Olympique a catalyst for chaos, establishing himself as a top two-way threat in the early 1990s.

His transformation into an elite table-setter was clearly demonstrated during consecutive league-leading seasons on the basepaths. Grissom overwhelmed National League pitchers by stealing an amazing 76 bases in 1991, and then set a career high with 78 stolen bases in 1992. His skill at generating runs out of nowhere provided manager Felipe Alou with a powerful offensive force that helped guide a talented, youthful Expos team, which was quickly learning how to dominate the Senior Circuit.

However, Grissom was much more than just a speed-focused player. His exceptional athleticism and precise route-running in center field made the large gaps in Olympic Stadium nearly impossible for opponents to exploit. His outstanding defensive skills earned him consecutive National League Gold Glove Awards in 1993 and 1994, and he reinforced his status with back-to-back All-Star appearances, establishing himself as an internationally recognized superstar. In the challenging 1994 season, he achieved 137 hits and 36 steals in 110 games, serving as a crucial leader for the Montreal team, which boasted baseball's best record before the strike.

Soon after the game resumed, the small-market franchise faced immediate financial constraints. Knowing they couldn't secure a long-term deal with their star outfielder, the front office made a blockbuster trade just before the 1995 season, sending Grissom to the Atlanta Braves. He quickly became a crucial part of his hometown team, famously catching the final out of the 1995 World Series to clinch the championship. Over his 17-year major league career, he accumulated numerous honors, including an ALCS MVP award in Cleveland, before retiring.

In Montreal, Grisson had 747 hits, 105 doubles, 23 triples, 48 home runs, and 238 RBIs. He posted a .273/.325/381 slash line and stole 266 bases.