New York Mets: Five best acquisitions by the team since 1980

5. Yoenis Cespedes

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2015 was an interesting year for the Mets. Terry Collins worked as hard as he could to keep his Mets in the playoff race as they hovered around .500. The pitching was healthy and throwing well but the lineup was the problem. The Mets just couldn’t score and we were begging the team to bring in some power.

Cespedes was acquired via trade on July 31 and the lineup immediately morphed around him. He was great, posting a .309 batting average with 17 home runs and 42 RBI, putting him into the MVP discussion for some. He didn’t spend enough time in the NL that year but his performance made the discussion understandable.

In game three of the NLDS, Cespedes put up three hits, three runs scored and three RBI helping the Mets to a win in game three to put the Mets up 2-1 in the series. He makes this list because he gave the Mets a formidable name that made the lineup an instant contender. Immediately, the Mets went from not being taken seriously to being taken VERY seriously.

He also made everyone around him better which is always the sign of a great acquisition.