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New York Mets: Top Ten most impactful trades in past twenty years

By Joshua Simons

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Sep 29, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets former catcher Mike Piazza speaks during his induction into the Mets Hall of Fame prior to the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

  1. May 22, 1998: The Florida Marlins trade C Mike Piazza to the New York Metsfor Preston Wilson, Ed Yarnall, and Geoff Goetz. 

Mike Piazza was an All-Star in the prime of his career when the Mets traded for him at the start of the 1998 season. He brought star power and excitement to a Mets team that was clearly on the rise. He was the star of the Mets for the next few seasons when they would earn them their first playoff appearance since 1988 in the 1999 season, and the pennant the following season.

His accomplishments will earn him a spot in the baseball hall of fame one day; he is the only player enumerated in this article who will in my opinion have a plaque in Cooperstown.

He ended his career with a .308 batting average, 427 homeruns, and 1335 RBIs. 396 of those home-runs were as a catcher which is the most by a catcher in MLB history. He was a 12 time All-Star, 10 time Silver Slugger award winner, All Star game MVP (1996)  and Rookie of the Year (1993).

While he was not considered a very good defensive player, he did catch two no-hitters, and had a good reputation for calling a game. He is arguably one of the best catchers in MLB history, and one of the all-time greatest Mets.

Next: Who is the greatest first baseman in Mets history?

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