New York Mets best free agent signings in franchise history

The New York Mets have taken advantage of free agency plenty of times over the years. These 15 are the greatest they have ever signed.

Steve Cohen is the new owner of the New York Mets, and it’s evident that he wants the team to be active this free agency. With that in mind, I decided to take a look back at the 15 best free agent signings in team history.

The Mets have found some of the best players in franchise history via free agency. There are some familiar names on this list from recent years as well as some great players from the 1990s and early 2000s.

Note: This list doesn’t include amateur free agents and was determined by various stats, accolades, and awards, and the overall impact they may have had on the team and fanbase.

15) Asdrúbal Cabrera

INF, 2016-18

.279/.339/.464, .803 OPS, 117 OPS+, 55 HR, 179 RBI, 6.2 WAR

Asdrúbal Cabrera is a fan-favorite of the past decade and one of the best free agency signings the organization ever made. Cabrera signed a two-year, $18.5 million deal with the team in December 2015. The contract had a third-year team option that was exercised at $6.5 million in 2018.

Cabrera didn’t have many noteworthy moments as a Met, but his contributions to the team throughout the three years he spent in Flushing are undeniable.

In 2016 and 2017, he led the team in hits, singles, doubles, and batting average. In 2017, he led the team in on-base plus slugging as well as slugging and on-base percentage.

14) Yoenis Céspedes

LF, 2016-20

.280/.354/.530, .884 OPS, 136 OPS+, 31 HR, 86 RBI, 3.0 WAR

Next up is arguably the most controversial Met of the past decade. Yoenis Cespedes has been a truly fantastic player, but injuries got the best of him during his tenure in New York.

Céspedes was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Mets in July 2015. He became a free agent after the season but impressed the Mets enough to earn a three-year, $75 million deal.

After the 2016 season, one of the very best of his career, Céspedes opted out of his deal and the Mets proceeded to sign him to a four-year, $110 million contract.

Céspedes grew notorious for constantly getting hurt after signing his mega-deal, playing a grand total of 127 games, including zero in 2019, from 2017 to 2020.

However, Céspedes was an instrumental part of the 2016 Mets and was the team’s best hitter and one of the faces of the franchise. That year, he led the team in home runs, RBI, slugging and on-base percentage, on-base plus slugging, total bases, sacrifice flies, and intentional walks.

Céspedes was an All-Star, a Silver Slugger, and finished eighth in NL MVP voting. The deal the Mets signed him to after that season proved to be arguably one of the worst in franchise history, but he did produce for New York before that. It is safe to say, however, that Céspedes’ giant contract, won’t be missed.

13) Bartolo Colon

SP, 2014-16

44-34, 3.90 ERA, 415 SO, 96 ERA+, 3.79 FIP, 1.225 WHIP, 4.7 WAR

Bartolo Colon is probably one of the most beloved Mets of this century and one of the team’s best free agent signings ever. In 2013, at the age of 41, Colon signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Mets and then was re-signed to a one-year, $7.25 million deal.

On Opening Day of 2015, Colon joined Cy Young and Nolan Ryan as the third Opening Day pitcher over the age of 40 to strike out eight hitters. In April, he became the first pitcher in the previous 80 years aged 40 or older to win his first four starts.

Colon’s time in Flushing is probably most remembered by his home run in 2016 when he became the oldest player ever to hit his first home run and for his behind-the-back flip to first base in 2015, but he did pitch well for the Mets.

He led the team in innings pitched and wins during all three years. He also led the team in starts in 2015 and 2016 and was the only Met to pitch a complete game shutout in 2015. He was even an All-Star in 2016.

Colon also holds the franchise record for most consecutive decisions as a starting pitcher (26).

12) Cliff Floyd

LF, 2003-06

.268/.354/.478, .832 OPS, 116 OPS+, 81 HR, 273 RBI, 7.7 WAR

It can’t be denied that Cliff Floyd did play well as a member of the Mets, but, like Yoenis Céspedes, he likely would’ve been much more successful had he been able to stay healthy- he played just 468 games in four years with the Mets.

Floyd did, however, lead the team in home runs in 2005 as well as tie for the lead in 2003, lead the team in walks in 2003, lead the team in intentional walks in 2005, and lead the team in hit by pitch in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

11) Curtis Granderson

OF, 2014-17

.239/.341/.444, .784 OPS, 116 OPS+, 95 HR, 247 RBI, 10.9 WAR

Curtis Granderson was a fan-favorite wherever he went, and Flushing was no different. In Dec. 2013, Granderson signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Mets.

Granderson grew to become a dangerous leadoff hitter for the Mets that pitchers did not want to face. In 205 games from May 15, 2013, to Sept. 16, 2014, Granderson didn’t ground into a double play, a record that still stands today.

Granderson accomplished the feat of hitting his 300th career home run while with the Mets in 2017. Granderson also led the entire league in the number of pitches per plate appearance in 2014 and 2017.

Granderson even had a memorable postseason run with the Mets in 2015, when he was one of the team’s most lethal hitters. In Game 3 of the NLDS, Granderson recorded five RBI, tying the franchise record of most RBI in a single postseason game. While the Mets lost the World Series to the Kansas City Royals, Granderson did hit three home runs and recorded five RBI.

The Mets traded Granderson to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Aug. 2017 when he made history that week by becoming the first player ever to hit grand slams for two different teams in the same week.

In 2014, 2015, and 2016, Granderson led the Mets in games and walks. In 2015 and 2016, he led the team in at-bats and runs. In 2015, he led the team in hits, singles, stolen bases, on-base percentage, and total bases. In 2016, he led the Mets in triples and hit by pitch.

10) Pedro Martínez

SP, 2005-08

32-23, 3.88 ERA, 464 SO, 109 ERA+, 3.69 FIP, 1.159 WHIP, 8.1 WAR

You’d expect one of the absolute greatest pitchers of all time to be higher on this list, but unfortunately, the Mets caught Pedro Martínez at the tail end of his career.

After winning the 2004 World Series with the Boston Red Sox, Martínez signed a 4-year, $53 million deal with the Mets. He wasn’t the same with New York, but did find some success.

During his time with the Mets, Martínez was a two-time All-Star and led the National League in SO/W as well as MLB in WHIP in 2005. He also recorded his 3,000th career strikeout in 2007.

Unfortunately, injuries prevented Martínez from being as successful and effective as he otherwise could’ve been. He pitched in just five games in 2007 and was injured in his first game of 2008. When he returned, his velocity was much lower and he struggled mightily in what would become the worst season of his career.

Martínez did, however, lead the Mets in innings pitched, wins, ERA, and complete game shutouts in 2005 as well as strikeouts in both 2005 and 2006.

9) Bobby Bonilla

3B/RF, 1992-95

The name “Bobby Bonilla” is somewhat of a trigger for Mets fans but, believe it or not, the man was one of the better free agent signings in franchise history. Bonilla had been a wonderful player with the Pittsburgh Pirates before heading to Flushing on a 5-year, $29 million deal.

Bonilla spent about three and a half years with the Mets before being shipped to the Baltimore Orioles in 1995 and during that time, he hit .278 with 91 home runs, 277 RBI, and a 9.7 WAR. He was also a two-time All-Star. Bonilla tied for the team lead in walks in 1992 and led the team in games and total bases and tied for the lead in doubles in 1994.

He led the team in runs and walks in 1993 and 1994 and tied for the team lead in walks in 1992. He also led the team in home runs, slugging and on base percentage, and on base plus slugging in 1992, 1993, and 1994. Bonilla also led the team in intentional walks in every year he spent in New York.

Bonilla’s numbers indicate that he did have a good tenure in New York, but his performance didn’t make him deserving of being the highest paid player in the NL. He also was famous for butting heads with members of the New York media quite often.

Younger Mets fans are more familiar with Bonilla’s second stint with the Mets in 1999, however. New York reacquired him from the Los Angeles Dodgers but released him after 1999, while still owing him $5.9 million.

The two sides came to an agreement whereby the Mets would pay him $1.19 million each year from 2011 to 2035. Don’t forget to wish your favorite Mets fan a Happy Bobby Bonilla Day next July 1!

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.

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.

2) Carlos Beltrán

CF, 2005-11

.280/.369/.500, .869 OPS, 129 OPS+, 149 HR, 559 RBI, 31.1 WAR

Most recently, Carlos Beltrán has been in the news for being relieved of his duties as Mets manager before even commencing because of his involvement in the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal.

However, Mets fans haven’t forgotten how important of a hitter he was to their team not so long ago.

In 2004, Beltrán signed a seven-year, $119 million deal with the Mets which, at that point, was the largest contract in franchise history

. Beltrán has been one of the organization’s best hitters this century and put up fantastic numbers during his time in New York. He was a four-time All-Star, finished fourth in NL MVP voting in 2006, and was a three-time Gold Glover and a two-time Silver Slugger.

In 2006, he set the single-season record for most runs scored with 127.

Beltrán is famous for not swinging in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS, but he played well that series, recording eight hits, including three home runs.

Beltran led the Mets in sacrifice flies in 2005. In 2006, he led the team in runs, home runs, slugging and on-base percentage, OPS, walks, and tied for the team lead in RBI.

In 2007, he led the team in home runs and RBI and was tied for the lead in sacrifice flies. He led the team in games and runs in 2008 and in intentional walks in 2009. In 2011, he led the Mets in home runs, RBI, and walks.

1) Mike Piazza

C, 1998-2005

.296/.373/.542, .915 OPS, 136 OPS+, 220 HR, 655 RBI, 24.6 WAR

The greatest free agent signing in Mets history is also one of the greatest players in franchise history. Mike Piazza has been loved by all generations of Mets fans and was as incredible a catcher as can be, going down in history as one of the greatest catchers of all time.

Piazza was traded from the then-Florida Marlins to the Mets in May 1998 and after the season ended, the Mets signed him to a seven-year, $91 million deal, which was the richest contract in MLB history, at the time.

In 2004, Piazza broke the record for most home runs hit by a catcher.

Piazza led the Mets in home runs in 1998 as well as home runs, RBI, SLG, and OPS in 1999. In 2000, he led the team in home runs, RBI, batting average, SLG, OPS, and total bases.

In 2001, he led the Mets in runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, batting average, SLG, OBP, OPS, IBB, and total bases. In 2002, he was the team leader in home runs, RBI, SLG, OPS, and total bases. Finally, in 2004, he led the team in OBP, OPS, walks, and IBB.

Piazza is famous for hitting the game-winning home run in the first baseball game played in New York post-9/11, something that has been seen as a unifying and iconic moment in baseball history.

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With the Mets, Piazza was a seven-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger. He also finished seventh in NL MVP voting in 1999 and third in 2000. Piazza is a member of the New York Mets Hall of Fame and his number 31 is retired by the organization. He was also inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a Met.