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

Jul 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws the ball in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Matz looks to be another solid left handed pitcher with good hitting skills like Hampton was.  Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

3. December 23, 1999: The Houston Astros trade pitcher Mike Hampton and OF Derek Bell to NY Mets for OF Roger Cedeno, P Octavio Dotel, and P Kyle Kessel.

Nine years prior to the Johan Santana trade, the Mets traded for Mike Hampton. Like Santana, Hampton was considered one of the best pitchers in baseball.  He lead the league in wins and winning percentage recording a  22-4 record with a .846 winning percentage. Both were also left-handed, and entering contract years.

Hampton followed up his 22-win season with a solid 15-win season partnering with Al Leiter to form a formidable starting rotation that lead the Mets to winning the 2000 pennant.

His contributions went beyond the pitching mound. He was one of the best hitting pitchers in the league. He won the silver slugger award that season recording a .274 average and driving in 8 RBIs. He would end his career earning the award for the best hitter at his position a total five times.

Unfortunately for the Mets, his time in New York would last just one season. He signed a long term lucrative deal with the Colorado Rockies in the 2000 offseason.

The Mets learned from their mistake with Hampton when they acquired Santana. Trading a player who led the league in steals the previous season, and a highly touted prospect in Dotel for a one-year rental had a major impact on the team. The Mets would win only 82 games the following season. By that time they would have nothing to show for this trade.

Next: No.2