Top 10 Acquistions

We all know about the epic Omar Minaya deals. From Johan Santana to Carlos Beltran, Minaya has brought the excitement back to Queens. But, prior to Minaya, some pretty heavy trades added to the times and tribulation to the team that we know and love.

While reading the book "Mets Essential" by Matthew Silverman, I came across an interesting list that most Mets fans should find fairly interesting. So, here it is. Here are Top 10 Mets Acquisitions of all-time, prior to Minaya.


10. Tommy Agee and Al Weiss--- These two were sent from the Chicago Whitesox on December 15, 1967. Give Gil Hodges some credit with these deals because he knew both of them from the American League. Agee could hit and played a nice center field. Weiss also played 2nd for the Mets on the '69 championship team.

9. Al Leiter--- Leiter was acquired from the Marlins on February 6, 1998 in a deal that sent A.J. Burnett to Florida. Leiter was instrumental part of the club during the '99 and '00 playoff runs and, he finished 6th in the NL Cy Young race in 1998. He also was named to the All-Star game in 2000.

8. Don Clendenon--- Acquired from the Montreal Expos on June 15, 1969 for four prospects. He provided valuable protection for Cleon Jones in the middle of the Mets potent lineup during the miracle year. However, he arguably had his best year with the club in 1970, batting .288 with 22 HR's and 97 RBI's.

7. Sid Fernandez--- Acquired from the Dodgers on December, 8 1993 for Carlos Diaz and Bob Bailor. He almost single-handedly preserved game 7 in the 1986 World Series when he made a relief appearance. He won 98 games in his 10-year career with the club and tallied a respectable 3.15 ERA. Most impressive, was probably his opponents' batting average during that time, which was .204. He also finished seventh in the NL Cy Young race in '86.

6. David Cone--- Acquired from the Kansas City Royals on March 27, 1987. Cone was dominant in his first stint with the club winning 80 games in just over five seasons with the club. Cone led the league in strikeouts in 1990-92. He also posted a 20-3 record in 1998 with a staggering 2.22 ERA, good for third in the NL Cy Young race and 10th in the MVP race.

5. John Olerud--- Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on December 20, 1996. 1998 was arguably his best year with the club, when he hit .354 with 22 HR's and 93 RBI's. Those stats enabled Olerud to finish 12th in the MVP race.

4. Ron Darling and Walt Terrell--- Acquired from the Texas Rangers on April 1, 1982. Darling won 99 games in his 8+ years with the team, including starting three games in the '86 series. Terell had two productive years for the club, ('83 and '84) then was traded for Howard Johnson in '85.

3. Gary Carter--- Acquired from the Montreal Expos on December 10, 1984. Carter was one of the leaders, with Hernandez, during the '86 title run. That year, he finished 3rd in the MVP race hitting 24 HR's and driving in 105 runs.

2. Mike Piazza--- Acquired from the Florida Marlins on May 22, 1998. Piazza became one of the most beloved Mets players of all-time during his time in Queens. His homerun at Shea Stadium the week after September 11th, was one of the most emotional ever hit in the game of baseball. In 2000, Piazza finished 3rd in the MVP race hitting .324 with 38 HR's and 113 RBI's.

1. Keith Hernandez--- "I'm Keith Hernandez." Acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals on June 15, 1983. Was arguably the team captain during the '86 title run and became one of, if not the most, beloved Mets player ever. Hernandez finished second in the MVP race in 1984 batting .311 with 15 HR's and 94 RBI's after already winning the MVP in 1979 with the Cardinals.

Although it is too early to tell if Minaya's deals are worthy of this list, we will sure be watching to see if any of these past players get bumped for a new class of Mets' greats.