New York Mets best free agent signings in franchise history

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 08: A New York Mets batting helmet in the dugout before a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 08: A New York Mets batting helmet in the dugout before a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
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Tom Glavine of the New York Mets pitching during regular season MLB game against Baltimore Orioles, played at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York on Sunday, June 18, 2006. The Mets defeated the Orioles 9-4 during interleague play. (Photo by Bryan Yablonsky/Getty Images)

6) Tom Glavine

SP, 2003-07

61-56, 3.97 ERA, 516 SO, 107 ERA+, 4.35 FIP, 1.373 WHIP, 15.3 WAR

Tom Glavine is another all-time great pitcher who the Mets got towards the end of his journey. The Mets signed him to a four-year, $42.5 million deal before the 2003 season.

Glavine’s first two seasons in Flushing were inconsistent (mostly bad), but he was able to bounce back in 2006. He re-signed with the Mets for the 2007 season when he won his 300th career game.

With the Mets, Glavine was a two-time All-Star and the contract he signed with them didn’t go to waste when he really began to shine again towards the end of his deal.

In 2004, Glavine tied for the team lead in games started and pitched a complete game shutout, which he did again in 2007. In 2006, he led the team in ERA and tied for the team lead in wins. In 2004, 2006, and 2007, he led the team in innings pitched. From 2005-07, he led the team in games started.

5) Rick Reed

SP, 1997-2001

59-36, 3.66 ERA, 590 SO, 117 ERA+, 4.08 FIP, 1.155 WHIP, 16.4 WAR

Rick Reed established himself as a proper MLB pitcher during his tenure in New York and although he was unsuccessful elsewhere throughout the remainder of his career, he was quite valuable to the Mets.

He was a two-time All-Star and led the team in ERA in 1997 while pitching two complete games and led the team in games started in 1998. He led the team in innings pitched in 1997 and 1998 and pitched three complete games and a shutout in 2001.

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