Mets: Five best December free agent signings in franchise history

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 21: Bartolo Colon #40 of the New York Mets leaves the game in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves during their game at Citi Field on September 21, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 21: Bartolo Colon #40 of the New York Mets leaves the game in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves during their game at Citi Field on September 21, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 01: Bartolo Colon #40 of the New York Mets throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during Game Five of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field on November 1, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 01: Bartolo Colon #40 of the New York Mets throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during Game Five of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field on November 1, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

The New York Mets have had some great free agent signings in their history. Some of their best and most famous free agent signings occurred in December.

The New York Mets have had their fair share of Amazin’ free agent signings. They have signed plenty of former and future All-Stars, big impact veteran guys, and eventual Hall of Famers. Some of them so happened to fall in December and can be looked at as a nice holiday gift.

With the Mets more likely to be shopping in the free agent section more than the trade section this winter, it is a good time to look back at some of their best December free agent signings. Hopefully, for the Mets sake, they can add to the already great list of free agent signings they have made in December this year.

Let’s take a look at the Mets top five best free agent signings for the month of December.

5) Bartolo Colon

The always entertaining and fun to watch Bartolo Colon will start the list off at number five. While some might question this, Colon brought more to the Mets than providing comedic value. He will always be known for his famous home run hit in San Diego, his behind the backflip in Miami, and other on-field antics, but there was more to Big Sexy than that.

Colon was coming off two years in Oakland where he was suspended for part of his first season due to PED use but was an All-Star selection in his second and final year while finishing sixth in the Cy Young voting. Despite having a good season there was concern regarding Colon due to the PED suspension and his age as he was 40 years old already. Colon put all the worries to rest as he put up strong numbers in New York.

On December 14th, 2013 Colon signed a 2-year deal worth $20M with the Mets. The first season was worth $9M and the second was worth $11M. Colon did sign a one year deal worth an additional $7.25M following his two-year deal that we will include since he did not leave in between.

Colon was an extremely reliable arm while in Queens as he logged at least 31 starts each season as well as pitching 191+ innings. Over his three seasons, he collected 44 wins, pitched to a 3.90 ERA, a1.225 WHIP, a 4.7 pitching WAR, and he was selected to the National League All-Star team one year.

Colon also served as a veteran leader for a relatively young team at the time. The Mets big five of deGrom, Syndergaard, Harvey, Wheeler, and Matz were all in their first few seasons and were able to benefit from a pitcher who had been around for fifteen years already.

Outside of Colon’s entertainment that will be remembered forever, his production on the field showed to be worth it. In his three seasons, he was able to provide the Mets with veteran leadership, 44 wins, a reliable arm, and the ability to leave fans on the edge of their seat for only $27.25M.

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 14: Curtis Granderson #3 of the New York Mets in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 14, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Mets 4-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 14: Curtis Granderson #3 of the New York Mets in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 14, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Mets 4-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4) Curtis Granderson

Up next we have another player who got to share the field with Colon in Curtis Granderson. Granderson, who was a fan favorite and a true class act in the game of baseball, brought a lot to the Mets when joining them.

Granderson was coming off an injury-shortened season with the crosstown Yankees before joining the Metropolitans. He was already 32 years old and would no longer benefit from the short porch in Yankee stadium, but Granderson was still able to put together some strong years while in Flushing.

On December 9th, 2013 Granderson signed a 4-year deal worth $60M. The deal was pretty evenly spaced out as the first season was worth $13M, the second and third at $16M, and the final year at $15M.

The Grandyman got off to a bit of a slow start in his first season, but he made up for it the following years. In his three and a half seasons he mashed 95 home runs, drove in 247 runs, had a .341 OBP, gave a reliable glove in the outfield at all three positions, and provided the Mets with durability as he appeared in 150+ games each season in his three full seasons.

In his three and a half seasons with the Mets, Granderson combined for a 10.9 WAR, helped the Mets make the World Series in 2015 for the first time in fifteen years, and helped them reach the postseason in back-to-back seasons for the second time in Franchise history.

In addition to Granderson’s solid performance on the field, they got a great person off the field. In 2015 he was awarded the Lou Gehrig Memorial award which is given to the player who best exemplifies the character of Lou Gehrig. In 2016 he was awarded the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award which is given to the player based on a great performance on the field and great off-the-field contributions. He was also rewarded with the Roberto Clemente Award in 2016 which is also given to a player for both great on and off the fieldwork.

Between Granderson’s solid numbers on the field for the Mets with his reliable defense and ability to stay healthy while hitting home runs and getting on base, his off the field contributions also had a great impact on his contract working out well. His 4 year $60M deal worked out well for the Mets and is one of the best signings made by the Mets in December as a result.

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)
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) /

3) Tom Glavine

Next up we have an eventual Hall of Famer in Tom Glavine. Glavine was leaving the division rival Atlanta Braves for the first time in his career when he decided to join the Mets.

Glavine was coming off an All-Star season at age 36 with an impressive 2.96 ERA. Although Galvine was going to be entering his age 37 season, there was not too much concern as he had proven to one of the most durable players in the league starting at least 25 games a year every season outside of his rookie year.

On December 5th, 2002, Glavine signed a 4-year $42.5M deal. This came out to $11M for the first year, $10.765M for the second and third year, and $9.993M for the fourth and final year. He ended up singing back for one more year on December 6th, 2006 for $7.5M.

Despite starting 32 games and pitching over 180 innings in his first season, Glavine got off to a bit of a slow start. His first season consisted of 4.52 ERA, a 1.47 WHIP, 10.1 H/9, 4.0 K/9, and a 9-14 record which were all season worsts since his first or second year in the league which was 15 years prior.

Glavine did bounce back in the following four seasons as he combined for 2 All-Star selections, 52 wins, an ERA at 3.82 or lower in 3 out of the 4 seasons, and 200+ innings in 3 out of the 4 seasons. In his last year with the Mets, he also collected his 300th career win becoming the 23rd pitcher ever to reach that mark and only the fifth ever left-hander. In his five seasons with the Mets, he combined for a 15.3 WAR.

In the lone year the Mets made the postseason during Glavine’s time with the team, he did not disappoint. In the NLDS he tossed 6 shutout innnigs and earned the win in the one game he started. In the NLCS he tossed 11 innings while only allowing 3 earned runs to a 2.45 ERA while receiving a win and a loss.

Although some fans may always remember Glavine for one start during the 2007 season (sorry for the flashbacks), there was much more to his time in Flushing. Glavine was able to bring a veteran presence as a future Hall of Famer, consistently and depth to the rotation, while also being an effective arm with his two All-Star selections. With all that Glavine brought to the Mets, his 5-year and $50M total was one of the best contracts the Mets signed in December.

20 Aug 2000: Robin Ventura #4 of the New York Mets in action at bat during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Mets defeated the Dodgers 9-6.Mandatory Credit: Jeff Gross /Allsport
20 Aug 2000: Robin Ventura #4 of the New York Mets in action at bat during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Mets defeated the Dodgers 9-6.Mandatory Credit: Jeff Gross /Allsport /

2) Robin Ventura

Next up on the list, we have a guy who helped the Mets get back to the playoffs after ten years away and in back-to-back seasons in Robin Ventura.

Ventura had just finished up his tenth year with the Chicago White Sox and a bounce-back season after only playing 54 games in his second to last year there. He was going to be 31 the upcoming season, coming off a gold glove winning season, and a career .274 hitter so it was clear the impact he could potentially have on a team.

On December 1st, 1998, Ventura signed a 3-year $23M deal with the New York Mets. In the first of the three years, Ventura was paid $7M while in the second and third year he was paid $8M.

Ventura got off to a scorching start with the Mets. In his first year in the orange and blue, he played in all but one game and slashed .301/.379/.529/.908, with 32 home runs, 120 RBI, while winning a gold glove and finishing 6th in MVP award voting.

Although Ventura’s next two years were not at the same level as his first, he was still a solid player. His batting average took a hit as he only hit in the .230s the next two years, but he did still combine for 45 home runs, 145 RBI, while playing a defensively sound third base. In his three years, he combined for an 11.0 WAR.

Ventura was a huge addition to the Mets as he helped them reach the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the franchise’s history. In his first season with the Mets in 1999, the Mets made it to the NLCS, but fell short in six games. The following season they made it to the World Series and were also eliminated, in five games. Although the Mets were unable to finish the season as the top dog, Ventura was a huge reason why they were able to come close.

Between Venturas lockdown defense, his solid production at the plate, and him helping the Mets make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, his 3-year $23M deal is easily one of the best December signings the Mets have ever made.

NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: R.A. Dickey #43 of the New York Mets pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during an Major League Baseball game September 27, 2012 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: R.A. Dickey #43 of the New York Mets pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during an Major League Baseball game September 27, 2012 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1) R.A. Dickey

The final man up the list is someone who made Mets games fun to watch during some of their darkest years in R.A. Dickey.

Dickey was coming off a year in which he pitched out of the bullpen for the Minnesota Twins after signing a minor league deal. He had never been that great of a pitcher in the seven seasons he pitched in, but this was his best one out of the seven. At the time it just seemed like another typical “Mets” signing at the time, a cheap guy during dark times.

On December 21st, 2009, Dickey signed a minor league deal with the Mets. Although the next two years of Dickey’s contract were not agreed on in December, we will count it because the original deal was made in December, resulting in the two years after. The second and third seasons were worth a total of $7M, with the second season worth $2.75M and the third year at $4.25M.

Dickey’s original minor league deal work out fantastic for the Mets. He did start out in the minor leagues to start the season, but once called up to the big leagues he made the most of it. In 26 games started, Dickey went 11-9 with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.187 WHIP in 174.1 innings.

The following two seasons he proved that the first year was no fluke. In his second season, he did have a poor record of 8-13, but he did have a solid 3.28 ERA and a 1.227 WHIP in a career-high 32 games started with 208.2 innings.

Dickey’s third and final season in Flushing was a historic one. Dickey set career highs in multiple categories and led the league in multiple categories as well. He went 20-6 on the year with a 2.73 ERA, a 1.053 WHIP, 230 strikeouts, 5 complete games, 3 shutouts, all in 233.2 innings while being selected to his first All-Star game and winning the Cy Young Award. His three seasons resulted in a 12.9 WAR.

It is safe to say the Mets never expected to get this kind of production from Dickey who originally signed a minor league deal. The Mets ended up getting 39 wins, an ERA under 3.00, and their first Cy Young award since 1985 all for $7M and his minor league salary/league minimum salary for the first season. There is no doubt Dickey’s deal was the best free agent signing the Mets made in December.

A couple of guys that just missed the list include Cliff Floyd, Pedro Martinez, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Bobby Bonilla (his first for the Mets don’t worry).

The Mets have clearly had some great free agent signings in the month of December between future Hall of Famers, multiple different award winners, and just pure entertaining players.

Next. David Wright's Top 5 Career Moments

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