February 2016

Bad Free Agent Signings: Pedro Astacio

Before signing Pedro Martínez in 2005, the Mets signed another Dominican pitcher named Pedro with a bum arm on Dec. 16, 2001. Pedro Astacio was famous for his ability to surrender the long ball. He started out strong for the Mets and did not get a deserved All-Star nod in…


Mets Coach Bobby Valentine, left, and General Manager Steve Philips, right, introduce "stolen base king" Rickey Henderson, at a news conference given by the Mets at Shea Stadium in New York, Monday, Dec. 21, 1998. The Mets signed Henderson for $2.3 million for one year with an option for a second. (AP Photo/Ed Bailey)

Bad Free Agent Signings: Rickey Henderson

In December 1998, Rickey Henderson joined his sixth club, the New York Mets, as a free agent. The following year was filled with ups and downs for the future Hall of Famer. He exceeded all expectations — batting .315, getting on base at a .423 clip, and stealing 37 bases…