5 best Mets who spent 1 year or less with the team

NY Mets one year wonder: David Robertson

Unfortunately, a few members of the 2023 Mets could easily qualify for this honor, after a disastrous first half led to perhaps the most unexpected sell-off in franchise history. David Robertson, however, stands out the most considering the circumstances.

Signed as a free agent after helping the Phillies to a World Series berth the year prior, the veteran right-hander was brought in to be a primary setup man for closer Edwin Diaz. Just a month prior to the season, however, Robertson became the de facto closer after a freak injury to Diaz in the World Baseball Classic wiped him out for months.

No one was ever going to fully replace the value and lock-down impact Diaz possessed, but Robertson proved to be as successful in the role as one could have hoped. Across 44 innings, the 38-year-old saved 14 games and pitched to a 2.05 ERA, giving the Mets a reliable late-game option amidst chaos and regression throughout the rest of the roster.

With the Mets out of the playoff picture in July, Robertson became the first casualty of the team’s fire sale at the trade deadline, going to the Miami Marlins for a pair of prospects. It wasn’t what the franchise had envisioned when they signed him, but Robertson’s short stay was a bright spot during an otherwise infamous period.