The 4 best early Christmas free agent signing gifts the Mets have ever delivered

Finding a nice gift under the tree is a big part of the Christmas holiday. What about a shiny new free agent for your baseball team? New York Mets fans may most associate the holiday with the poorly-aged photo of Dellin Betances standing near a tree. In actuality, the Mets have made far more successful free agent deals right before the holiday.

From December 20 up through the big day, these are four of the best free agent signings the Mets ever made right before Christmas.

1) Cliff Floyd

Dates of when Cliff Floyd actually signed with the Mets seem to vary online. It was 20-21 years ago. Considering there is enough information out there stating it took place right before Christmas of 2002, it’s worth mentioning.

Floyd signed a four-year deal worth $26 million. Chump change in today’s baseball world for a player of his caliber, it ended up working out pretty well for New York.

Floyd was a longtime rival of the Mets, spending parts of five seasons with the Montreal Expos and then the Florida Marlins. Oft-injured but a superb offensive player when healthy, the Mets bought into him ahead of his age 30 season.

Floyd wasn’t perfectly healthy throughout his stay with the Mets. He was productive, though. The final tally included a .268/.354/.478 slash line and 81 home runs. His 2005 campaign was his best with Floyd knocking 34 home runs and driving in 98.

Unfortunately, his reputation as a guy who couldn’t stay healthy caught up with him in 2006 just as the Mets needed him most. Floyd hit .444 in the NLDS but managed to only log 3 at-bats in the NLCS.

3) Endy Chavez

It was on December 22, 2005, when the Mets stole Endy Chavez away from the rival Philadelphia Phillies. Big deal, right? A light hitting outfielder who posted a .216/.260/.302 slash line the year prior would be quickly forgotten. Yes, he had some speed and could play defense. He’d never have a big moment for the Mets.

Dickey is remembered for one big year. Chavez has the singular moment. His game-saving home run robbery in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS is quite possibly the most remarkable defensive play in club history. It’s up there with Mike Baxter protecting Johan Santana’s no-hitter. Ron Swoboda’s catch in the 1969 World Series, while in a more significant spot and a more positive outcome, doesn’t compare to the athleticism of what Chavez did.

A loss later that evening didn’t take away from how Mets fans feel about Chavez. He was already playing a significant role on them. In the regular season, Chavez found his way into 133 games for them. He batted .306/.348/.431. An outfielder with little expectation turned out to become one of the most important players of the year.

4) Todd Pratt

Even closer to Christmas than Dickey and Chavez, the Mets signed free agent Todd Pratt on December 23, 1996. He missed the entire previous season and his role with the Mets was never meant to be anything more than a backup catcher. He took it on gracefully, logging 39 and then 41 games in his first two years. Pratt did hit well, but the real purpose of having him was to give the starter, Todd Hundley and then Mike Piazza, a break.

Pratt found himself playing more often in 1999 with plenty of days finishing off games. He played in 71 games but stepped up to the plate only 160 times. During Piazza’s absences in 2000, Pratt stepped into the starter role and continued to produce at a high level. His 1999 season included a career-best 8 home runs and 25 RBI.

Just like Chavez would years later, Pratt had a huge playoff moment. He sent a ball over the outfield wall in the 1999 NLDS to clinch the series. A mainstay behind the plate as the club’s backup during a successful era of Mets baseball, it all began with a free agent deal signed shortly before Christmas.