New York Mets best free agent signings in franchise history
By Leen Amin
8) Steve Trachsel
SP, 2001-06
66-59, 4.09 ERA, 580 SO, 103 ERA+, 4.68 FIP, 1.381 WHIP, 11.7 WAR
Steve Trachsel underwent somewhat of a career revolution with the Mets after getting off to a historically bad start that saw him get sent to the minors.
He ended up becoming one of the best pitchers in the rotation for several seasons and was on the mound during several important postseason games.
In 2001, he pitched a shutout. He led the team in innings pitched, games started, complete games, and shutouts in 2003, and tied for the team lead in strikeouts and games started in 2004.
He also pitched a complete game in 2006. Trachsel led the team in ERA in 2002 and 2003. He led the team in wins in 2003 and 2004 and tied for the lead in wins in 2001 and 2006.
7) Robin Ventura
3B, 1999-2001
.260/.360/.468, .828 OPS, 113 OPS+, 77 HR, 265 RBI, 11 WAR
With the Mets, Robin Ventura is most famous for being part of the “Best Infield Ever” and for hitting the “Grand Slam Single” in Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS.
2000 was a rough year for Ventura in terms of performance and health and he wasn’t much better at the plate in 2001, but he was popular when he was in Flushing.
During his excellent 1999 season, Ventura won his sixth Gold Glove and finished sixth in NL MVP voting. Ventura led the Mets in intentional walks in 2000 and in walks in 2001.