The Mets signed 35 year old outfielder Nori Aoki who is en route to Houston to be added to the roster. He was hitting .274 when Toronto released him, so it is a little surprising. The Mets are only on the hook for a prorated major league minimum.
With the loss of both Yoenis Cespedes and Michael Conforto after the departures of Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson the Mets were indeed thin at the outfield position. They have tried unsuccessuflly thus far with Jose Reyes, Matt Reynolds and Travis Taijeron out there, and collectively they make Aoki appealing. In this case it doesn't appear that Aoki ABs will take time away from anyone with huge potential (though Taijeron wasn't given much of a chance). It's a good move to land a professional outfielder until this season mercifully ends.
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You could consider putting up with Taijeron's high K rate in exchange for his power as a part time player, but from the little I've seen of him defensively, he just doesn't look like a big league outfielder. Aoki's deal with Toronto goes through next season, so, like Reyes, the Mets will have the option of keeping him at the vets' minimum in '18, and I'm guessing that will hold some appeal to them. If Terry is (heaven forbid) back next season, with his love for declining vets who were once not terrible, he'd probably start 100+ games.
ReplyDeleteOn a related note, I haven't heard any estimates on how long it might take Conforto to get back on the field post surgery. Though if form holds for the Mets, "getting back on the field" and being "back" could be two very different timelines.
Adam -
ReplyDeleteone of my close Mets associates has told me that the front office is worried he will ever come back with the same gusto he had before that swing
Look at what happened to wuilmer beccera. Back shoulder labrum injury. Not sure if beccera was posterior or anterior capsule though.
DeleteThank GOD the Mets didn't sign Harvey long term after his half season of "dominance". Whether it is injuries or lack of motivation to train properly (likely the latter), he is the new poster child for wasted talent and opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI don't see him ever pitching like he did in the beginning.
He is a legitimate "non-tender"candidate going into 2018 (not that they will, but it wouldn't be a huge shock, either).
Mike
Shades of Tim Lincecum?
ReplyDeleteSigning Aoki means everything is not A OK.
ReplyDeleteThere is one more outfielder to try - he used to play football...can't quite remember the name...but I think he has the same initials as whiffing Travis Taijeron.
Rene Rivera grand slam yesterday. This is all very humorous.
ReplyDeleteTom -
ReplyDeleteTommy Tune?
Well try as I might the only real positive over the last month has been Montero's start and the fear like all season is another crazy injury like's Wilmer's last night. So I take it AC has cemented the 3rd base position for next year and Aoki the open outfield spot and guess what ...their cheap adds for next year so who needs free agents. The Conforto injury is the scariest as we have no idea how long it will take to come back from and it has to affect his swing to some degree ....ugh what a year.
ReplyDeleteMack any idea who might be called up when the minor league season's end? Oh I forgot we don't want to start anyone's clock to early now do we.
ReplyDeleteGary -
ReplyDeleteWe have a very little amount of 'almost' quality chips at either the AAA or AA list so I don't expect the Mets to start their clock early.
Also, can't prevent an injury like Flores too,
No... more Aoki's if needed.
(Remember... most of these guys intantly become a free agent after the teams shut down)
Alan Y, while Becerra is heating up a bit (25 for last 75, but with just 4 XBH), it seems the shoulder did diminish his power greatly. He is a 6'3", 245 dude with a paltry 21 extra base hits in 127 games in 2017. I sure hope this is not a harbinger for Conforto. We need him back 100%.
ReplyDeleteOne guy with a severe prior injury in that area who is really ripping the last 2 months is Jayce Boyd...about a .600 slugging % over that period in AAA.
My two cents:
ReplyDelete- Aoki is signed through this year only and can become a free agent after the season. Just because Toronto is on the hook for next year doesn't mean he cannot go get a huge deal from someone else also, should it be out there.
- Taijeron is not a MLB player.
- I want Harvey back even if he is the fifth starter. There is talent in that man and if he finds it somewhere else, there will be no forgiving Mets management. As a fifth starter, bring him in for a half season and re-evaluate.
- The description I hear of Luis Guillorme remind me of my first favorite Met, Doug Flynn.
- Becerra should have started heating up in June. He will come off the 40 man roster.
- If Cecchini has hit everywhere, but his glove was supposedly holding him back, with a more favorable defensive position why isn't he playing more often?