Mets trades with the Diamondbacks often lead to a postseason visit

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CHICAGO – AUGUST 3: Shawn Green #20 of the New York Mets makes a hit during the game against the Chicago Cubs on August 3, 2007 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

August 22, 2006 – Mets trade Evan MacLane for Shawn Green

Even past the July 31 trade deadline trades can happen. On August 22, 2006, the Mets and Diamondbacks struck another deal just months after the Hernandez for Julio deal.

This time, the Mets would acquire a bat for their outfield. Veteran Shawn Green was having a productive year for the Diamondbacks complete with a .283 batting average and 11 home runs in 462 trips to the plate. It wasn’t anything close to what he did in his prime yet solid enough for the Mets to consider as an improved bat in the lineup.

The player sent to Arizona in this deal was Evan MacLane, a minor leaguer who never had much of a big league career. An obvious win for the Mets, I want to look at exactly how Green helped get them to the 2006 playoffs.

Green slowed down a little when he joined the orange and blue. He hit .257 for them and knocked 4 home runs in his 34 games. He managed to stay healthy into the postseason, putting together a solid yet not-so memorable pair of playoff series.

Green hit went 3 for 9 in the NLDS win over the Los Angeles Dodgers and followed it up with a 7 for 23 performance versus the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. The latter wasn’t enough as many of us still try to forget.

The Mets did get to enjoy Green for another year when he joined them for the 2007 season. Green was a quality player to have, slashing .291/.352/.430 in 491 plate appearances. Limited to just 10 home runs, he made up for it by knocking 30 doubles in his age 34 campaign.

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