3 best Mets starting pitchers single season in the 2000s

In the history of the New York Mets, there have been so many players who have put great seasons behind them. We could not forget Doc Gooden's 1986 season, Tom Seaver's 1973 season or R.A. Dickey's great CY Young season in 2012, and Jacob deGrom in 2017 and 2018.

In the 2000s, the Mets went on a roll at the start of the decade with a World Series followed by some disappointing years. Despite having a few stars on the roster, especially that 2006 team, the organization didn't have great pitching seasons at that time, but three of them did well in the decade.

1) Johan Santana had the best single season by a Met starting pitcher in the 2000s

Johan Santana came to Queens via trade for Carlos Gomez and pitching prospects Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey. Two days after this trade, Santana agreed to a six-year, $137.5 million contract on February 1, 2008.

Santana may not have lived up to the level expected of a two-time Cy Young pitcher but he left in the memory of every Mets fan the first no-hitter in team history. For many fans, the Venezuelan pitcher did not turn out to be what was expected after an injury-plagued career in Queens.

However, many fans don't remember the breakout season Santana posted in 2008. He finished that season with a league-leading and career-best ERA of 2.53, games started with 34, innings pitched with 234.1, and batters faced with 964.

These numbers earned him National League Cy Young Award consideration, finishing third in the voting. His 2008 WAR was the third-best of his career at 7.1 and his 166 ERA+ was second-best. Despite losing playing time due to injuries and not living up to expectations, Johan Santana left us with the best season a Mets pitcher has thrown in the 2000s.