The Morning Report 11.17.2015 | Zobrist Market Becoming Too Costly, A RP Mets Should Target, Syndergaard Finishes 4th in ROY Voting

Kristie Ackert | NY Daily News- The Mets are looking for a second chance at second base, but it looks like Ben Zobrist is out of their price range. An industry source said Monday they expect Zobrist, coming off a World Series championship with the Royals, could command at least a three- or four-year deal worth $40 to $50 million. The Mets were among several teams to express strong interest in Zobrist when free agency opened, meaning there is a chance his contract demands will skyrocket.

(Chris Soto: Don't be alarmed....this is not saying that the Mets cannot AFFORD the demands of Zobrist. What is more likely is that the Mets do not see Zobrist as being a large enough value add over Wilmer Flores or Dilson Herrera to be worth $12.5M to $13M per season.....and they are right! Flores is 11 years younger than Zobrist and has a similar defensive profile as him [poor SS, average 2B/3B] but already is producing more power than Zobrist. What Zobrist does better than Flores right now is....he draws walks and he is far more consistent, both things a 23 yr old ball player can grow into.)



Lukas Vlahos | Amazin Avenue- Coming into 2015, Mark Lowe appeared to be a washed-up middle reliever. In 2013 and 2014, Lowe pitched a combined 18.2 major league innings with a 7.23 ERA and 6.51 FIP. Lowe then had the finest season of his career [in 2015], with a 1.96 ERA with a 2.57 FIP in 55 innings. He posted a full-season career-high strikeout rate and a career-low walk rate, and returned to the ground ball-heavy ways that brought him success in 2011. The 32-year-old Lowe's free agent market will likely be depressed compared to other middle relievers. For the Mets, this could lead to a great chance to sign a cost-effective bullpen piece.

(Chris Soto: Mark Lowe has been a strong of mine this off-season for the Mets and is someone that is flying under the radar that I think could provide excellent value to the club's bullpen in 2016. I certainly wouldn't depend on him for late inning relief, but he could be a strong candidate for 7th inning work.)



Mike Vorkunov | NJ Advance Media- Kris Bryant, the stellar Cubs third baseman, won the National League Rookie of the Year award as expected. That should be no shock at all. Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard missed the top three. He wasn't among the finalists announced last week by the Baseball Writers Association of America, the group that votes on the award. Bryant won with 150 total points, with only the top three choices on each ballot. Duffy had 70 points, Kang was third with 28, and Syndergaard had 16 points to finish fourth.


(Chris Soto: Darn....quite an unfortunate. Syndergaard had a superb rookie season that would run away with the Rookie of Year award in most seasons. However, not during 2015 which was the year of the super prospects. Kris Bryant was flat out magnificent for the Cubs and Matt Duffy was a rock at 2B for the Giants all season long despite being under the radar. I was surprised to see Kang ahead of Syndergaard considering he was a part time player for a good chunk of the season. That said though, when Kang did start, he was a monster offensive force at SS which is a rare find right now.)



HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• According to Mar Carig of Newsday, the Mets have reached out to OF Gerard Parra. Parra could be part of a platoon with Juan Lagares in CF but there are other teams that are likely to give Parra more playing time.

(Chris Soto: Quite day on the Hot Stove....lets hope for a little more action today.)