1984 OTD: Mets acquires Gary Carter

As this year’s Virtual Winter Meeting has begun to heat up, let’s look back at the deals Mets made at the 1984 Winter Meeting.

On December 10, 1984, Mets and Expo closed a deal for five players, and Mets won seven All-Star Catchers. Gary Carter In exchange for third baseman Hubby Brooks, Outfielder Harm Winningham,catcher Mike Fitzgerald, And pitcher Floyd Yomans..

At the end of the 1984 season, Mets moved from rebuilding to fighting, setting a record of 90-72. It came in second in the eastern part of the National League. The debris had fallen in place. Keith Hernandez Agreed to extend for 6 years Ron Darling And Dwight Gooden Appeared as an anchor for pitching staff, Darryl StroverY It was an up-and-coming star. Energy returned to Shea Stadium, but Mets needed a few more pieces.

Most importantly, they needed a veteran catcher to help raise young arms. Carter met that need and added a powerful right-handed complement to Hernandez and Strawberry from the left. Carter hit an average of 21 home runs per season in Montreal, accumulating 55.2 bWARs over 10 seasons (one of which was the shortened strike 1981 season).

Carter was scheduled to enter the 31-year-old season in 1985, so Mets got him after he peaked. Carter, who met over five seasons, hit an average of 18 home runs and won 11.3bWAR. His best year as Met was his first year in orange and blue, with 32 home runs and 100 RBIs (6.9 bWAR), a significant reduction of .281 / .365 / .488.

Carter was injured during the 1986 season and played 132 games (.255 / .337 / .43924 home runs 105 RBI, 3.6 bWAR). He trailed rapidly after 1986, but Mets got what he needed from Carter. He was a key player on the 1986 World Championship team. His two-out at-bat in the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 6 kept Mets alive and resulted in the most thrilling victory in franchise history.

Trade with the Expo was not completely one-sided. Brooks was good with Montreal for five seasons (.279 / .322 / .441 75 home runs, 390 RBIs, bWAR9.0). A solid receiver, Fitzgerald played for seven seasons at the Expo. Youmans and Winningham each played four seasons in Montreal.

In a sense, this was an example of trade that helped both teams. Mets was ready to win and won with Carter as an integral part. The Expo is in the rebuilding stage and was able to drop an aging catcher for four usable parts.

Carter hit 300 home runs as Mets in Wrigley Field in 1988. After Mets’ career ended in 1989, Carter played for the Dodgers and Giants for one season each. He made a return engagement with Expo in 1992 before retiring.

Carter managed the Mets system in 2005 and 2006 and has since coached in other leagues. He publicly campaigned for Mets managers twice in 2004 and 2008. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2011 and died in February 2012.

Carter completed his 11-time All-Star career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2001, he was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame. His number 8 has not been worn since he left Mets. Although it has not been officially abolished.

Perhaps retiring No. 8 by Mets is a possibility under new ownership.