NY Mets: 15 worst trade deadline deals in franchise history

Jun 27, 2021

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 03: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets celebrates the win with teammates Neil Walker #20,Asdrubal Cabrera #13,Jay Bruce #19, Curtis Granderson #3 and Yoenis Cespedes #52 after the game against the Atlanta Braves during Opening Day on April 3, 2017 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.The New York Mets defeated the 6-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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FLUSHING, NY – 1983: Tom Seaver of the New York Mets delivers a pitch during a game in 1983 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, Quenns, New York. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

1) NY Mets Worst Trade Deadline Deals: Tom Seaver to the Cincinnati Reds

What else would it be? Arguably the worst trade in Mets history (I think it’s second to the Nolan Ryan deal), this deal involving the legendary Tom Seaver defined the Midnight Massacre of 1977. The greatest player in franchise history was shipped from out of town to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for several players. I don’t care if they did actually perform well—to a degree. This trade broke hearts and the franchise to pieces.

Seaver wasn’t nearly as tremendous with the Reds but that doesn’t make this one sting any less. He remained one of the league’s best starting pitchers for several more years while the Mets stayed down at the bottom of the league.

In return, New York acquired Doug Flynn, Steve Henderson, Dan Norman, and Pat Zachry. Each had some level of success calling Shea Stadium home. Together, even on their best days, I don’t think they compare to what Seaver was able to accomplish.

That’s the problem with trade deadline deals involving any established big leaguers. It’s rare you can get the prospects or younger players back of equal value. In the history of the Mets, the only trade we can even consider a good one where they sold at the deadline is the Carlos Beltran for Zack Wheeler move.

Next. 15 best trade deadline moves in Mets history

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There was no way to possibly win the Seaver trade. Getting rid of your franchise’s best player is not a winning move. In fact, it’s an all-time loser of a trade.