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Rising Apple

3 Mets players traded away before they ever played a game for the team

By Tim Boyle

15 Jul 1998: Catcher Charles Johnson #26 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in action behind the plate during a game against the San Francisco Giants at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Ha
15 Jul 1998: Catcher Charles Johnson #26 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in action behind the plate during a game against the San Francisco Giants at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Ha /
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Outfielder David Justice of the New York Yankees stretches during batting practice 23 October 2000 at Shea Stadium in Flushing Meadows, NY. The Yankees lead the New York Mets 2-0 in the World Series with game three on 24 October 2000. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

David Justice was traded to the Mets on 12/7/2001 and traded away to the Oakland Athletics on 12/14/2001

David Justice was a star in the 1990s and not just because he was married to Halle Berry. His resume includes a Rookie of the Year, a pair of 40+ home run seasons, and three seasons of reaching 100+ RBI.

What you may not remember fondly is how well Justice played for the Mets. That’s because a week after he was acquired by the team in a rare deal with the New York Yankees, Justice was shuttled out of town.

Justice was traded from the Bronx to Flushing in exchange for Robin Ventura. Shortly after, he was traded yet again. This time, he ended up with the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Mark Guthrie and Tyler Yates.

Justice would go on to have a productive year for the Athletics team made famous by the film Moneyball. Probably the least-profiled trade of his career among the previous three deals, I wonder what kind of season he could have had with the Mets. I think he could have been a real fan favorite even if it was only for the 2002 season.

The trade wasn’t such a bad one for the Mets. Guthrie was 5-3 with a 2.44 ERA out of their bullpen in his one year with the squad. While Justice was finishing off his career on one of baseball’s most successful budget teams, Guthrie was delivering in relief for New York.

Next. Greatest offenses in Mets history

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Which other players do you remember the Mets traded for only to then trade away before ever playing a game for the team? Surely, there’s at least another one out there.

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