New York Mets best players at each position since the year 2000

Pitchers and catcher

When you think of the Mets, especially of recent times, and you hear these two positions it’s almost pretty obvious who comes to mind for all our fans:

Starting Pitcher: Jacob deGrom

There is no doubt in the world that Jacob deGrom is the ace of the All-2000s Mets team. Arguably the best pitcher in the entire league right now Jacob deGrom has done nothing but impress since his major league call-up. In his seven seasons, deGrom has posted a 2.61 ERA with 1,359 strikeouts. DeGrom has finished in the top-ten of the Cy Young race in five of his seven seasons; with three of those in the top three and two of those three where deGrom won the award in back-to-back years in 2018 and 2019.

DeGrom won the Rookie of the Year award in 2014 and has made three all-star appearances with the Mets. In 2018 deGrom finished with a league-best 1.70 ERA and became just the eleventh pitcher in MLB history to win the Cy Young in back-to-back seasons.

Catcher: Mike Piazza

The greatest hitting catcher of all-time is your All-2000s Mets catcher. Mike Piazza was the catcher for the Mets from 1999-2005 when he was acquired in a trade from the Flordia Marlins after playing just one week with the Marlins. During the 2000s Piazza was an all-star in all but one season which was 2003 when he only played in 68 games.

Mike Piazza is known as the greatest hitting catcher of all-time and on May 5th, 2004 he surpassed Calton Fisk as the home run king of catchers when he launched his 352nd career home run.

Piazza was apart of many big moments for the Mets. One was the first baseball game in New York after the 9/11 attacks. It was a game against the rival Atlanta Braves and the Mets were trailing in the 8th inning when Piazza launched a deep home run to give the Mets the lead and held on for the victory.

Another moment was the 10-run 8th inning comeback once again against the Braves. It was a game where the Mets trailed 8-1 in the bottom of the eighth and the team erupted for a 10-run rally. The rally capped off with Piazza hitting a three-run missile to left field to give the Mets an 11-8 lead.

Piazza’s jersey is retired by the New York Mets and he was the latest and only the second Met to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Relief Pitcher: Pedro Feliciano

Some may argue Pedro Feliciano as the relief pitcher of this team but there was no pitcher as durable as Feliciano was in his time in Flushing. Feliciano spent nine years with the team from 2002-2013.

Feliciano led the league in appearances from 2008-2010 and in those three seasons he had a 3.44 ERA. His total Mets career ERA was 3.33 with 350 strikeouts.

Feliciano was a huge part of the bullpen in their 2006 season especially after the devastating injury to Duaner Sanchez. He finished the season with a 2.09 ERA and a WHIP of 1.26 going into the postseason.

Feliciano may not be the big name that comes to mind for some, but when you needed the job done Feliciano was ready to go no matter how many consecutive days he had to get out there.

Closer: Billy Wagner

Following the 2005 season, the Mets agreed to terms with free-agent Billy Wagner who previously played with the Astros followed by the Phillies. Before joining the team, Wagner was a four-time all-star and one of the best closers in the league at the time.

In his first season in 2006, Wagner finished with 40 saves for the Mets with an 88.9% save percentage. He followed his next two seasons up with all-star seasons in 2007 and 2008. In 2007 he finished with 34 saves giving him his third consecutive season with thirty-plus saves.

His 2008 season came to end in September however due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament. The injury required Tommy John surgery and kept him out for the rest of the season and almost all of the 2009 season. He pitched one game for the Mets in August of 2009 and was then claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

There you have it the All-2000s New York Mets. A few names of players that we loved to watch play. There are also a few names on this list that we hope will make a huge impact for the franchise currently as well!