New York Mets: Top 8 Players Since 2000

Top New York Mets Players Since 2000

Since 2000, the New York Mets have had quite a few roller coaster seasons. They started off the 2000’s with a bang going to the World Series in 2000, but coming up short and losing to the cross town rival New York Yankees. Then we saw the team have a few down years, until 2006 when they were one win away of returning to the World Series. They went on to lose Game 7 that year to the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, but were seen as a team that would compete for years to come.

The next part of the story gets bleak. Two late season collapses in back-to-back years caused uproar in the Mets community. As a result, we saw two managers fired, Willie Randolph and Jerry Manual, as well as the departure of some super stars. This year's team we are seeing a young, scrappy team that can do some damage for years to come. When all the young kids come up we will then see where this team is headed in the future. To say the Mets have been blessed with talented baseball players is an understatement. Most of these Mets teams were not able to put it all together, but hopefully this year that can change.

The Mets have seen many faces come and go since that time period, such as players like Timo Perez and Cliff Floyd, or pitchers like Braden Looper and Oliver Perez. But this countdown will show the greatest Mets since the 2000 season

Jerry Elsing is a New York Mets writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ j_els22, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Johan Santana

Johan Santana was traded to the Mets in order to make them a favorite to win the World Series. After collapsing the year before, this was the trade that was supposed to put them over the hump and get them to the playoffs. It never turned out that way and Santana may never pitch for the Mets again, but in his time with the team, he has been one of the best starting pitchers in the NL and earning a spot in my top eight.

Carlos Delgado

Carlos Delgado was one of the purest power hitters the game has ever seen, an effortless swing that sent baseballs into orbit. When the Mets added him, he didn't disappoint. He put on a power show, while in dropping 104 bombs in his time with the Mets. This was definitely one of Omar Minaya’s better moves.

Al Leiter

One of the biggest fan favorites of all time, Al Leiter makes the list checking in at the No. 6 spot in my rankings. Leiter was always known for pitching well in big games and has 95 wins as a Met. His influence was felt all around the team in 2000 when they made the World Series. He was famous for being a nitty gritty pitcher and that year the Mets were his team.

R.A. Dickey

Many might think this is high for R.A. Dickey but when you see his numbers you will understand. He was a cast away from the Minnesota Twins and was given a minor league contract by the Mets. After pitching well in the minors, Dickey got the call up and became the Mets best pitcher. In his three years with the Mets he tallied 39 wins, a 2.95 ERA, 468 strike outs and a Cy Young. Not Bad for a pitcher that doesn't have a UCL.

Carlos Beltran

Possibly the best center fielder in the game, in his time with the Mets, Carlos Beltran was just an animal. He helped guide the Mets to the NLCS in 2006 and even though he is probably most remembered for striking out to Adam Wainwright in Game 7, Beltran was one of the best outfielders the Mets have ever had. He hit 149 HRs and had an average of .280 in his seven years with the Mets.

Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes was the best leadoff hitter in the game with his tenure with the Mets. He led the league in hitting his final year with the team and was a threat to steal bases every time he was on base. In his time with the Mets, he batted .292 and stole a franchise record 370 bags while only being caught 92 times. Reyes was everything you wanted from your short stop and his absence has been felt since his departure last season.

Mike Piazza

The "Pizza Man" Mike Piazza is considered the best hitting catcher of all time. He owns most of the catcher records when it comes to hitting for the Mets. In his Met career, he hit 220 HRs and drove in 655 runs making him one of the best hitters the team has ever had. Even though he was a below average catcher, he was a threat every time he stepped into the box.

David Wright

Captain America himself, David Wright ,is the best player the Mets have had in a long time. When you think of all he does for this team it was an easy choice to make him the No. 1 player since 2000. He plays a phenomenal 3rd base and hits the cover off the baseball. He is also one of the nicest, most genuine people in the game today. He is everything you want in your captain and will, in the near future, help turn this team back into a contending team.