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Best Mets player acquired via free agent at each position

By Tim Boyle

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 28: Curtis Granderson #3 of the New York Mets warms up prior to Game Two of the 2015 World Series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on October 28, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 28: Curtis Granderson #3 of the New York Mets warms up prior to Game Two of the 2015 World Series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on October 28, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON – MAY 1: Cliff Floyd of the New York Mets takes a swing in a game against the Washington Nationals on May 1, 2005 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. The Mets defeated the Nationals 6-3. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Left Fielder – Cliff Floyd

I gave Yoenis Cespedes a little consideration for left field on this spot. However, because his best year came after getting traded, I felt the need to go in a different direction. Fortunately, there’s Cliff Floyd to fill the void.

Floyd spent four seasons with the Mets from 2003-2006. With a .268/.354/.478 batting line, he added 81 home runs.

The best we saw of Floyd included a .290 average in 2003 and 34 home runs in 2005. Definitely an important member of the franchise’s history, the only thing working against Floyd is the fact that the team didn’t win much at all during his time in New York.

Center Fielder – Carlos Beltran

Carlos Beltran’s legacy may not be the same as it used to be. Still, there’s no debate. Beltran is the best free agent center fielder the team has ever had.

Beltran is an all-time great Mets player for everything he did on the field. From 2005 until mid-2011, he was an All-Star five times. Beltran also added three Gold Glove seasons and in 2006, tied Todd Hundley for the franchise’s home run record.

In parts of seven seasons, Beltran finished with 149 Mets home runs and a batting line of .280/.369/.500. Put those numbers up against any other free agent in Mets history and you’ll have a tough time finding anyone who comes close.

Right Fielder – Curtis Granderson

Finally, we finish with Curtis Granderson. One of the more beloved Mets free agents in recent history, he played all over the outfield. On this team, he slots in as the right fielder.

Granderson’s four and a half seasons with the Mets included 95 home runs and 484 hits. His 2015 season stood out for more than numbers. When the team needed him to take over the leadoff role, he filled in admirably.

When Granderson was signed as a free agent, I don’t think anyone expected him to become such an important leader for the ball club. His numbers, while lacking in some areas like batting average, barely do justice for what he was capable of. Granderson was a winning player, as subjective of a description as that is.

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