12 worst Mets trades and free agent signings since Steve Cohen took over as majority owner

Washington Nationals v New York Mets
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2) Worst NY Mets trade or free agent signing since Steve Cohen took over: James McCann free agent

The first major free agent signing by the Mets after the Wilpons got the boot turned out to be a very Wilponian move. Free agency offered teams two catchers to choose from. It was a debate between James McCann and J.T. Realmuto. The Mets went with McCann.

The four-year deal already looked lengthy for a guy in his 30s. A complete career turnaround with the Chicago White Sox turned out to be deceptive as McCann immediately reverted back to his woeful offensive numbers he had with the Detroit Tigers early on.

McCann hit .232/.294/.349 in his first season with the Mets. In year number two, a season where he played just 61 games due to injury and splitting more time with Tomas Nido, McCann batted .195/.257/.282.

The Mets saw enough of him and with two years left on his deal, they unloaded him in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles. They’re still paying for a part of his contract. 

Maybe, though, this trade does turn out to reward the Mets in the future. They landed a young prospect named Luis De La Cruz in the move. We’ll have to pay attention if he ever does anything. It might be worth the pain of two years of McCann giving the team very little.