 The price New York paid to get him was steep, as the team traded their leading hitter, second baseman and future All-Star Gregg Jefferies, to acquire Saberhagen (along with outfielder Kevin McReynolds, their second leading home run hitter, and backup infielder Keith Miller).However, the Mets were in need of a front of the rotation starter after the team elected to part ways with All-Star pitcher Frank Viola following a collapse in the second half of the season that resulted in his finishing with a 13-15 record after an 11-5 start.Saberhagen was expected to fill the void left by the former world champion and was still highly regarded as a top flight starter.