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Biggest New York Mets trades that took place in the month of May

By Tim Boyle |
UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 2001: Mike Piazza #31 of the New York Mets looks on during a Major League Baseball game circa 2001. Piazza played for the Mets from 1998-2005. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 2001: Mike Piazza #31 of the New York Mets looks on during a Major League Baseball game circa 2001. Piazza played for the Mets from 1998-2005. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK – CIRCA 1973: Outfielder Willie Mays #24 of the New York Mets bats during an Major League Baseball game circa 1973 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. Mays played for the Mets from 1972-73. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – CIRCA 1973: Outfielder Willie Mays #24 of the New York Mets bats during an Major League Baseball game circa 1973 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. Mays played for the Mets from 1972-73. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Although May isn’t known for big baseball trades, New York Mets history has three notable swaps that took place in the second full month of the season.

When we think of baseball and the month of May, the word “trade” isn’t usually associated with it. May is the time when teams are usually still testing out what they already have. For the New York Mets, this hasn’t always been the case.

The Mets have made a surprisingly large number of trades in the month of May. Some were far more minor than others. In any given year, we can see a backup catcher swapped for a lefty reliever.

There are three Mets trades of note that took place in what has traditionally been the second full month of MLB action. These three deals took place early on in the year. Each involved a big name player and all three had an effect on the club.

Willie Mays – May 11, 1972

It’s only fitting that the first major Mets trade to take place in the month of May involved a man whose last name matches. On May 11, 1972, future Hall of Famer Willie Mays was dealt by the San Francisco Giants to the Mets in exchange for Charlie Williams and $50,000.

At 41-years-old with a batting average below .200, the deal looked like it wouldn’t amount to much for New York.

Somehow, Mays managed to actually become a decent part-time player with the Mets. In 69 games played with 242 plate appearances in 1972, Mays slashed .267/.402/.446. He struck out and walked 43 times each.

The “Say Hey Kid” also managed to knock 8 home runs in his first year with the Mets. It looked like there was some life left in his bat after all.

The next season, Mays wasn’t so lucky. In only three fewer plate appearances, Mays slashed .211/.303/.344. He hit 6 home runs for the Mets, clearly showing signs of a decline.

As for Williams, he remained with the Giants for the rest of his career. He was a good relief pitcher for them and even managed to get a handful of starts each season.

31 Jul 1998: Catcher Mike Piazza #31 of the New York Mets in action during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Dodgers defeated the Mets 4-3. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig /Allsport
31 Jul 1998: Catcher Mike Piazza #31 of the New York Mets in action during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Dodgers defeated the Mets 4-3. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig /Allsport /

Mike Piazza – May 22, 1998

I’m not sure there is a bigger or more impactful trade in MLB history in May than the one that brought Mike Piazza to Flushing. It all began on May 14, 1998, when the Los Angeles Dodgers traded him to the Florida Marlins with Todd Zeile for a huge return which included Gary Sheffield as one of the headliners.

Not long after, the Marlins struck a deal with the Mets to move Piazza once again. On May 22, Piazza changed uniforms again. This time he was going to the Big Apple for Geoff Goetz, Ed Yarnall, and the best player the Marlins acquired in the deal, Preston Wilson.

If you know anything about Mets baseball, you understand how important Piazza was to the organization. Just having any knowledge of baseball history itself sheds some light on his importance.

Piazza was immediately impactful. In his 109 games played for the 1998 Mets, he hit .348/.417/.607 with 33 doubles and another 23 home runs.

This was just the start of his glory years in New York. Whether this team was winning or losing, Piazza was always there pounding baseballs and building his case as the greatest catcher of all-time.

Down in Florida, the Marlins never saw Goetz reach the major leagues. Yarnall only ever suited up in the big leagues as a member of the Yankees following a 1999 trade back to the city that never sleeps.

Wilson, however, had some fine years with the Fish. From 1999-2002, he was an impact player in the middle of the lineup with 23+ home runs each season. In his 1999 rookie campaign, he finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting.

As impactful as Wilson could have been as a member of the Mets, I think ten out of ten fans would select the years Piazza had with the Amazins.

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 03: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets sits in the dugout after he was removed from a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on May 3, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Braves defeated the Mets 11-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 03: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets sits in the dugout after he was removed from a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on May 3, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Braves defeated the Mets 11-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Matt Harvey – May 8, 2018

One of the most controversial Mets in recent history, Matt Harvey’s reign with the organization ended on May 8, 2018. After a rocky start to the season followed by his reluctance to accept a demotion, Harvey was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. In exchange, the Mets picked up another ex-star, Devin Mesoraco.

Mesoraco’s time at the top of the baseball world was far less than what Harvey experienced. Aside from one All-Star year, he seemed to perform more like a backup than an everyday option. During his time with the Mets, he received praise from Jacob deGrom for his work behind the plate.

Over in Cincinnati, Harvey managed to improve and give the Reds a steady 24 starts. He finished the year at an even 7-7 with a 4.50 ERA. With free agency in his near future, Harvey pitched well enough to earn a one-year deal worth $11 million in the offseason.

The team willing to give him a chance, the Los Angeles Angels, quickly had buyer’s remorse. Harvey made 12 starts for the club in 2019, finishing 3-5 with a 7.09 ERA.

Unlike the Mays or Piazza trades, this one was more about a change of scenery for a pair of players their original teams believed no longer had a role with the squad. The Mets had more than enough starting pitching options. The Reds also favored Tucker Barnhart behind the plate over Mesoraco.

As it turns out, neither player really had a big enough impact on their new team.

Next. Three Mets trades with Houston that led to a WS

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May trades in baseball aren’t common because teams are rarely out of the playoff race that early and willing to sell. However, as Mets history proves, occasionally a big name changes uniforms early on.

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