The New York Mets have had trades go in various directions throughout their history, so let’s take a look at some of the best and worst exchanges the franchise has executed.
As the MLB Trade Deadline approaches, the New York Mets are poised to strike again – though perhaps in a less aggressive manner than last season’s fireworks – with a buyer’s mindset, as the club has been linked to Brewers’ catcher Jonathan Lucroy, among various relief pitchers.
From deadline deals to winter blockbusters, the Mets have shaped franchise history on these ten important trades.
Prior to the 1986 season, GM Frank Cashen was wheeling and dealing to build a winner, and current GM Sandy Alderson did the same in many of his offseason and in-season trades.
We’ll now take a look back at the history of Mets’ trades including both the good … and the bad.
Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mentions
P Charlie Williams to San Francisco Giants for OF Willie Mays (May, 1972)
Yes, Willie Mays was no longer in his heyday as a Met – but, he was still Willie Mays.
One of the greatest to ever play the game, Mays made his name known as a New York Giant, but the club relocated to San Francisco in 1957. Mets owner Joan Payson was instrumental in bringing the 41-year old back to New York in ’72.
P Carlos Diaz and OF Bob Bailor to Los Angeles Dodgers for P Sid Fernandez (December, 1983)
A key piece to the 1986 World Champion Mets – you’ll be seeing a lot more of that team soon – Sid Fernandez had the hook from hell signature to his imposing left-handed frame. Sid posted a 3.52 ERA and went 16-6 in his All-Star 1986 season.
Dishonorable Mentions
Dishonorable Mentions
OF Jason Bay to San Diego Padres for P Jason Middlebrook and P Steven Reed (July, 2002)
Yep, Jason Bay made the list. And yes, the Mets had him both before he was good, and after. His impressive numbers with Pittsburgh and Boston make this trade a bad one: he was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2004 and was selected to three All-Star games.
P Collin McHugh to Colorado Rockies for OF Eric Young, Jr. (June, 2013)
Who would’ve thought Collin…McHugh…would turn into anything?
Apparently not the Mets decision makers, as McHugh was sent to Colorado in exchange for Eric Young Jr. And while EYJ had some success as a Met, McHugh’s emergence as a solid American League starter for the Astros makes this deal a bad one in retrospect.
The Best Trades
10. OF Carlos Gomez, P Phillip Humber, P Kevin Mulvey, P Deolis Guerra to Minnesota Twins for P Johan Santana (February, 2008)
A few years ago, Santana may not earn a spot on this list because of the stardom established by Carlos Gomez – the only current living remains of the deal.
Well, not living – but still playing. And that’s the thing: Gomez has not only removed his star status, but he is now a below average player. Give Santana the mention, especially for that no-hitter.
Jerry Grote
9. P Tom Parsons to Houston Astros for C Jerry Grote (October, 1965)
When catchers were so hard to find in 1965, there was Jerry Grote. An oldie but goodie as they’d say. Grote wouldn’t overwhelm you offensively, but it was all about his glove. The regular backstop for more than a decade, Grote won a World Championship in 1969 as the battery-mate of Tom Seaver.
Donn Clendenon
8. P Steve Renko, 3B Kevin Collins, P Jay Carden to Montreal Expos for OF Donn Clendenon (February, 1969)
Comparable to the modern-day Cespedes deal, Clendenon came over in the pre-deadline trade which sparked the 1969 Championship. Unlike Cespedes, though, he continued to hit into the postseason, as he earned World Series MVP honors en route to the Mets’ 4-1 series win.
Bob Ojeda
7. P Calvin Schiraldi, P Wes Gardner, OF John Christensen to Boston Red Sox for Bob Ojeda (November, 1985)
Ojeda makes the list for his remarkable 1986 campaign, even if the rest of his time with the Mets was marked by injury or unspectacular play. Ojeda went 18-5 with a 2.57 ERA, and it would be hard to believe the Mets would win the World Series without Bobby.
Yoenis Cespedes
6. P Michael Fulmer and P Luis Cessa to Detroit Tigers for OF Yoenis Cespedes (July, 2015)
Even though Michael Fulmer is trending toward the American League Rookie of the Year, the Cespedes trade remains justified and, at this point, one of the best trades in franchise history.
That ridiculous post-deadline stretch in which Cespedes was seemingly impossible to get out – or limit to less than extra bases – was a tremendous cause for the Mets’ eventual playoff berth.
Ron Darling
5. Ron Darling/Howard Johnson: OF Lee Mazzilli to Texas Rangers for Ron Darling, P Walt Terrell; Terrell then traded to Tigers for IF Howard Johnson
The Mets moved on from Mazzilli, and in turn received Ron Darling and, later, Howard Johnson. Darling went 15-6 with a 2.81 ERA in 1986, with a 1.53 ERA in the World Series to boot. HoJo went on to have two All-Star campaigns with the Mets.
Noah Syndergaard
4. P R.A. Dickey, C Josh Thole, and C Mike Nickeas to Toronto Blue Jays for C John Buck, C Travis d’Arnaud, P Noah Syndergaard, and OF Wuilmer Beccera (December, 2012)
This one is the steal of Sandy’s tenure as GM.
Parlaying the Cy Young winner (Dickey) into a haul of well-regarded prospects (d’Arnaud, Syndergaard) seemed like a good move at the time. Now it is one of the best trades in Mets history.
In half a decade, especially if the Mets have won a World Series, this deal will likely be even more important to team history.
Mike Piazza
3. OF Preston Wilson, P Geoff Goetz, P Ed Yarnall to Florida Marlins for Mike Piazza (May, 1988)
As perhaps the best hitter to ever wear blue and orange, Piazza will be the fourth man, and second player, to have his number retired as a Met. Piazza was inducted to the Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 24, 2016.
Piazza was a better hitter than Carter, but I’ve factored in defense and pitching success as well.
More importantly, though, Carter was an imperative component to a World Series team, as opposed to Piazza’s crucial role to a National League Champion team, in 2000. That’s why Carter gets the edge.
Gary Carter
2. OF Hubie Brooks, C Mike Fitzgerald, OF Herm Winningham, P Floyd Youmans to Montreal Expos for C Gary Carter (December, 1984)
It’s hard to estimate the value of a catcher’s chemistry with the pitching staff, but everyone in baseball knew what Carter brought to the table in that regard.
Instrumental to the success of an impressive 1986 rotation, Carter is credited with helping the group attain its level of comfort, despite the presence of young, inexperienced pitchers.
Carter was also fine with the bat, with a career 324 home runs and 1225 RBI. He was an All-Star in all but one of his seasons with the Mets, and though his career year came in 1985, he was still the same reliable backstop in ’86.
He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as an Expo in 2003…but Met fans know his true colors.
The Best Trade
1. P Neil Allen and P Rick Ownbey to St. Louis Cardinals for 1B Keith Hernandez (June, 1983)
Franchise-changing would be an understatement in describing the impact of Keith Hernandez on the Mets. Even if he didn’t lead the Mets to a World Championship, what would we do without his SNY commentary?
Sporting a .297 batting average over seven seasons in New York, Hernandez was as consistent an asset as you could ask for since his acquisition in 1983.
Key to the Mets World Championship in ’86, the 11-time Gold Glover hit .310 that season with an All-Star Game nod, and finished 4th in MVP voting.
Many would argue that Keith deserves a bust in Cooperstown, New York. No one would dispute his value toward winning the second World Series in Mets history.
The Worst Trades
The Five Worst Trades
- (June, 1977) Mets acquire IF Doug Flynn, OF Steve Henderson, OF Dan Norman, and P Pat Zachry from the Cincinnati Reds for P Tom Seaver
It’s hard to believe this happened. Just sad and stupid.
- (December, 1971) Mets trade P Nolan Ryan to the Anaheim Angels for SS Jim Fregosi
The Mets never believed in Ryan, which is a damn shame. By the end of his career, he threw seven no-hitters more the Mets’ pitchers did in franchise history.
- (June, 1989) OF Lenny Dykstra and P Roger McDowell traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for 2B Juan Samuel
Another bad one. Shipping Dykstra and McDowell to the division rival Phillies was a huge contribution to the disbanding the Mets’ World Championship team in 1986.
- (November, 1988) Mets deal P Mel Rojas to Los Angeles Dodgers for 3B/OF Bobby Bonilla
One fact: the Mets still pay Bobby Bonilla, and will continue to until 2035.
- (July, 2004) P Scott Kazmir traded to Tampa Bay Rays for P Victor Zambrano and P Bartolome Fortunado
Perhaps the most infamous deadline trade in Mets’ history, the club shipped prized left-handed pitching prospect to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in exchange for Victor Zambrano and Bartolome Fortunado.
Neither panned out in New York. Success wasn’t on the side of the 2004 Mets either.