The best Mets trade for a catcher in franchise history

The New York Mets have made some big and impressive trades for catchers in the franchise’s history. Jerry Grote, John Stearns, and Gary Carter were all acquired via trade. Let’s even include Paul Lo Duca in that group. 

None of them quite compare to the impact of this other legendary Mets deal. It happened on May 22, 1998 when the Mets and the Florida Marlins struck a deal centered around catcher Mike Piazza.

The best Mets trade for a catcher brought Mike Piazza to Queens

Just a little over a week after the Marlins acquired Piazza from the Los Angeles Dodgers, they flipped him in a brand new deal with their National League East rivals. Geoff Goetz, Ed Yarnall, and Preston Wilson were the three players the Mets gave up in the trade. Wilson would have the most success in the majors. It wouldn’t come close to what Piazza did for the Mets.

Piazza’s 1998 run with the team was almost worth this trade alone. In 446 plate appearances, Piazza mashed 23 home runs, drove in 76, and slashed .348/.417/.607. It was a monster introduction to New Yorkers. It would be just the beginning.

The Mets were able to extend Piazza in late October before he got to test the open market. It turned out to be a wise decision. Over the next few seasons, he was at the center of any success they’d find.

Piazza would spend parts of 8 years in New York batting .296/.373/.542 with 220 home runs. It was while with the Mets he further cemented his legacy as the best hitting catcher of all-time.

The only thing missing from this trade was a championship. Sadly, after the 2000 World Series, Piazza wouldn’t reach the postseason with the Mets again. He’d only get a small sample in 2006 as a member of the San Diego Padres.

The Piazza trade helped usher in a new era of Mets baseball. His numbers hold up today. It’s possible we never see a catcher quite like him ever again.