Fansided

Mets: 5 best offensive WAR seasons since 2000

By Ryan Morik

NEW YORK - AUGUST 06: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets connects in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres on August 6, 2008 at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - AUGUST 06: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets connects in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres on August 6, 2008 at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 12: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets steps on homeplate after his two-run homerun in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during game one of the NLCS at Shea Stadium on October 12, 2006 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 12: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets steps on homeplate after his two-run homerun in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during game one of the NLCS at Shea Stadium on October 12, 2006 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) /

Carlos Beltran, 2006, 7.0 WAR

When Beltran was signed to the franchise’s most expensive contract in history, his first season was somewhat disappointing. Beltran signed a seven-year, $119 million contract after the 2004 season — just the 10th contract to surpass $100 million at the time.

Beltran had to be better than his career-low .744 OPS from 2005.

And he was.

In 2006 Beltran earned his highest MVP finish, coming in fourth behind Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, and Lance Berkman. His .982 OPS was the best of his career, as were his 41 home runs (which tied the Mets record at the time), 116 RBI, and .594 slugging percentage.

Like Wright in 2007, it took Beltran a while to get things going in 2006, after already coming off a disappointing season. He struggled through minor injuries in April, and was slashing .241/.394/.556 in his first 17 games.

But he blasted 36 homers and 101 RBI the rest of the season, racking up a .986 OPS. He walked almost as many times (80) as he struck out (88) in that stretch.

From May 4 to June 14, his .678 slugging percentage and 40 RBI were the second-best marks in the majors, while his 1.097 OPS and 13 home runs were the fifth-highest.

Beltran earned his first Silver Slugger award, and the contract became well worth it.

Unless, of course, you’re still harping on that strikeout.

Home/MLB