On July 29, 1996 the Mets acquired All-Star second baseman Carlos Baerga from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Jose Vizcaino and Jeff Kent. Though Baerga was having an off year he was still considered by many to be one of the top hitters in baseball with a penchant for hitting frozen ropes. But it was obvious from the start that Baerga was not the same hitter. Injuries did play a factor but he still only hit .193 the rest of the season.
