The Top 5 Worst Mets Signings That Every Fan Needs to Know About!

Being a New York Mets fan is often akin to riding a rollercoaster—there are thrilling highs and gut-wrenching lows. Over the years, the franchise has become infamous for making some puzzling signings and trades that left fans shaking their heads in disbelief. From paying millions to players who couldn't deliver to entertaining rumors of potential deals that went sideways fast, it hasn't been an easy ride. Here's a list of the Top 5 worst Mets signings and trades in history—and it's a list that you'll probably both laugh at and cry over.

So let’s take a close look at their infamous top five and analyze how each move became part of Mets lore for all the wrong reasons.

5. Bobby Bonilla: The Contract That Never Ends

July 1 every year has unofficially been dubbed Bobby Bonilla Day. On this day, the Mets shell out a cool $1.19 million to Bonilla as part of a deferred payment arrangement—a staggering payday considering he retired from professional baseball in 2001. Initially signed to a five-year, $29 million deal in 1991, Bonilla had been expected to be a cornerstone slugger for the team. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out. Fast forward to today, Bonilla’s deferred payments have turned into a running joke and a cautionary tale.

While Bonilla gets ribbed for capitalizing on a creative financial move, some fans justify the decision as a solid long-term effort by the Mets. Even so, it remains a sore spot for many fans who see him cashing checks he arguably didn’t earn as a Met.

4. The Javy Báez Trade: Swing and a Miss

When the Mets traded for Javier Báez in 2021, fans thought a new era of dominance would begin. Báez, once a prolific bat and defensive icon for the Cubs, was expected to solve the Mets' issues at second base while bolstering the lineup alongside friend Francisco Lindor. Appearing to be part of a long-term plan, what fans got instead was a short-lived stint brimming with frustration. Injuries, poor on-base discipline, and jaw-dropping whiffs became Báez’s calling card while donning orange and blue. Coupled with the loss of promising prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong in the deal, it's a bitter moment Mets faithful would rather forget.

3. Jed Lowrie: The Nine-Game Legend

On paper, signing Jed Lowrie from Oakland seemed like a reasonable move. Known for being a versatile infielder, Lowrie had a solid track record, including All-Star honors. But then reality hit: Lowrie only suited up for the Mets a mere nine games due to chronic injuries, and fans understandably lost patience. What hurt most wasn’t just his absence but the $20 million contract that came with it. To this day, Lowrie’s Mets tenure is seen as a textbook example of the franchise’s inability to perform due diligence when signing players.

2. Roberto Alomar Jr.: A Fall from Grace

The Mets were on a mission to turn their fortunes around in the early 2000s, and signing Roberto Alomar Jr. seemed like a slam dunk. Alomar was a Hall of Fame-caliber second baseman who had been on a tear for the Cleveland Indians. He came to New York off a season where he batted .336, giving Mets fans high hopes. But his time in Queens was anything but Hall of Fame-worthy. Alomar batted a lackluster .265 during his Mets tenure and brought none of the spark he was known for. For Mets fans, the Alomar trade became less about skill and more about disappointment.

1. Jason Bay: The Flop to End All Flops

At the height of his career, Jason Bay was one of baseball’s premier outfielders. After dazzling stints with the Pirates and Red Sox, Bay arrived in New York with hopes sky-high. What followed was an unmitigated disaster. The four-year, $66 million deal turned into three underwhelming seasons where Bay batted .234 and smacked only 26 homers. He struggled to stay healthy and could never recapture the magic of his prime. By the end of his tenure, Bay epitomized everything wrong with the Mets' scouting and contract decisions. He cemented his legacy as perhaps the most infamous free-agent bust in franchise history.

Honorable Mentions

While these top five earned their place in infamy, they’re certainly not the only missteps. Fans never forget about names like Darren Ruff or Luis Castillo, who added their own chapters to the Mets' book of misfires. From injuries to production declines, the aggravation each player caused keeps them just outside of the top five but very much in the running.

Sound Off!

Every Mets fan has their own list of heartbreaks, and no two lists will ever be exactly the same. Did we miss a signing or a trade you think deserves more hate? Let us know in the comments! For now, this Top 5 list underscores the highs and (really) low lows of being part of the Mets faithful.

Let the debate begin—and as always, Let’s Go Mets!