The 2010s were a decade of high and lows for Mets fans as they were able to make it back to the World Series in 2015 for the first time since 2000, but they also posted seven losing seasons out of 10.

Defense was not a strong suit for the Mets in the 2010s. In fact, their -310 defensive runs saved in that time ranks 27th out 30 teams and their UZR of -118.5 UZR was 26th. In terms of single player performance, Juan Lagares was the Mets’ best defensive player (80 DRS, 35.3) by a huge margin.

Daniel Murphy (-41 DRS/-17.5 UZR at 2B) and Jose Reyes (-40 DRS/-11.2 at SS) were locked in a tight battle for worst Mets’ defender of the decade.

Let’s take a look at the best Mets’ defensive play over the last 10 years.

Baxter Helps Secure Mets’ History (6/1/2012)

Left fielder Mike Baxter put himself into the Mets record books on June 1, 2012, when he made a terrific catch in the seventh inning of Johan Santana‘s no-hitter, the first (and still only one) in team history.

As a result of hitting the wall on the historic catch, Baxter was diagnosed with a displaced collarbone and fractured rib cartilage landing him on the disabled list for over a month.

The Bank Shot (8/27/15)

A bizarre play that could go down as the best 1-3-1 putout in Mets history that started with a “bank shot” by reliever Carlos Torres. Then, of course, the previously mentioned gifted defender Murphy flips a no-look pass to the speedy Torres covering.

The play was to get the final out of a tie game in the bottom of the 10th inning against former Met Jeff Francoeur. And how about that call from Gary Cohen?

Pagan Helps Turn Triple Play (5/19/10)

Athletic center fielder Angel Pagan made a shoestring catch for the Mets that led to confusion by Nationals’ baserunners (and the umpires too) resulting in a triple play, the first for New York since 2002.

Shades of Bob Cousy (9/5/15)

Bartolo Colon was a fan favorite during his three years with the Mets providing numerous highlights. He pitched a complete-game shutout in September of 2015 against the Marlins and showed off his rare skillset with a behind-the-back toss to get Justin Bour on a dribbler up the first base line.

Playoff Spectacular by Granderson (10/5/2016)

In the middle of a pitcher’s duel during the National League Wild Card Game in 2016, Curtis Granderson made a run-saving catch in center field to keep the game scoreless. The veteran was able to hold onto the ball despite running into the fence.

An Ode to Lagares (Where Extra Base Hits Go to Die) 

Juan Lagares is one of the best defensive players in Mets history and also one of the best defensive center fielders of the decade. His 80 defensive runs saved in 4,488 innings there during the 2010s ranks third behind only Kevin Kiermaier and Lorenzo Cain.

It’s tough to pick out just one great play by Lagares, so I’ve presented you a highlight video created by MMO’s own Joseph Schoedel.

The Rail Master (5/11/10)

First baseman Ike Davis quickly made an impression with his bat in his rookie season (33 doubles, 19 home runs), but he also had a flair for making dramatic late-inning catches at the rail of the Mets’ dugout.

He was able to hang onto this one as he fell into the Mets’ dugout to close out a win over the Nationals in May of 2010. Four days earlier, he made a similar catch in the ninth inning. His first one came against the Cubs in April.

Cespedes Unleashes Cannon (10/17/15)

Yoenis Cespedes showed off his arm by cutting down the potential go-ahead run in Game 1 of the 2015 NLCS against the Cubs. The Mets would score a run in the bottom half of the inning and eventually sweep the series.

Cespedes’ most impressive throw with the Mets came earlier that season when he misplayed a ball in center, but recovered to make an unbelievable throw to get Sean Rodriguez at third trying for a triple.

That Didn’t Take Long (7/24/2016)

Michael Conforto worked hard to improve what was subpar outfield defense when he became pro. It certainly paid off for the first-rounder, he had nine defensive runs saved and a 5.6 UZR in left field during his rookie season in 2015.

After a slump that started towards the end of May, Conforto was optioned to the minor leagues in June. There he would get his first taste of right field and center field.

Only a few games into his July return to the big leagues, Conforto started in center for the first time ever. Naturally, he had a tough chance right in the first inning, though he made a nice full-out diving catch.

The Magician (3/2/17)

I’m aware this isn’t a play on defense, though the smooth-handed Luis Guillorme certainly defended his teammates from a flying bat.

Guillorme – known for his smooth defense up the middle – nonchalantly caught the loose bat of later-to-be teammate Adeiny Hechavarria during a spring training game in 2017.