Reese Kaplan -- American Pickers, Mets Edition

Have you ever seen that show on the History Channel called "American Pickers" in which the duo of Mike & Frank travel the country going through basements, barns and storage facilities looking for hidden treasures that they can buy low and resell high at their antique stores?  Well, there are still several worthy "finds" on the FA market that should appeal to the Mets' rather austere budget.

Matt Albers

His up and down career is coming off a 2017 with a flourish.  He served the Nationals spectacularly well, going 7-2 with a 1.62 ERA, a miniscule WHIP of 0.862 and 9.3 Ks per 9 IP vs. 2.5 BBs.  For that he was paid the princely sum of just $1.15 million.  Sandy Alderson chose not to add any major league talent at the beginning of last season but the more aggressive and savvy Mike Rizzo did and reaped the rewards for having done so.  He’s obviously due a big jump in pay as he turns 35, but still would be a bargain.

Pedro Alvarez

The power hitting third baseman has slugged over 3 home runs twice in his career.  He hit the 100 RBI plateau once.  His problem, like many power hitters in the all-or-nothing mold is that he strikes out at a prodigious rate and his career batting average is just .238.  He’s coming off a few years of lackluster performance as a bench player and should see a dip from his $5.75 million contract as he enters his age 31 season.  He’s shown some time at 1B as well, but being left handed doesn’t suggest him as a platoon partner for Dom Smith. 

Norichika Aoki

While it made perfect sense for the Mets to let him walk away given his cost, the inexplicable starting role for his duration here demonstrated he’s a pesky little hitter who can get on base regularly.  As a BENCH player he would not be a bad addition but only if he’s paid like a bench player.  He’s not great on defense, but for a team that’s withstood Todd Hundley, Lucas Duda and others out there, he’s not THAT bad.

Andrew Bailey

An injury recovery project, he had shoulder problems last year but for his entire career he has a sweet 3.12 ERA with a 3:1 K:BB ratio.  He earned just $1 million last year for the angels and might be a worthy gamble he’ll recover during his age 34 season.

Matt Beslile

Matt Belisle’s career numbers won’t overwhelm you, but in two of the past three years he’s posted sub 2.00 ERAs.  Last year he was back up to 4.01 but going into an age 38 season he might be the kind of veteran arm to help some of the younger relievers learn their craft.  He earned a tick over $2 million last year and should be available for that or less.

Trevor Cahill

He’s an interesting story in that as a starter he has not fared particularly well, but when the Cubs used him out of the bullpen in 2015 and 2016 he was sensational.  Perhaps it was his desire to prove to himself he could still be a starting pitcher, but his 2017 split between Kansas City and San Diego only proved he belonged in the pen.  He had a two-year run as a reliever with an ERA under 2.50.  Walks have always been an issue and were totally out of control as a starter with the Royals last year.  He earned just $1.75 million last year and should be available for the same or less but is desirable only as a reliever.

Allen Craig

Out of baseball with injuries the past few years, he’s still available and a minor league deal with an invite to spring training might be a good lightning-in-a-bottle experiment.  He’s not an accomplished fielder anywhere, but does fit the outfield/1B mold that’s been discussed.  From 2010 through 2013 he logged a little more than 2 full seasons worth of ABs during which he produced 50 HRs, 247 RBIs and batted .306.  He’s right handed and could serve as a platoon partner.  At one point he was so highly thought of that he was given a contract that paid him $11 million.  Now he could probably be had for about $1 million for his age 34 season if he makes the majors. 

Peter Moylan

The injury plagued pitcher has missed huge chunks of his career rehabbing, but last year at age 38 appeared in 79 games and finished with a 3.49 ERA for the Royals.  He’s more of a crafty pitcher than a guy who will rack up huge strikeout totals, but the quality and durability demonstrate he might be a worthy bargain barrel pickup for one year.  He earned $1 million for KC last year.

Seung-hwan Oh

In 2016 the Korean import took over for the injured Trevor Rosenthal and wound up saving 19 games with a modest 1.92 ERA.  He also struck out 11.2 per 9 IP while walking just 2 over that span.  He did not do nearly as well last year with a 4.10 ERA, 20 saves and a drop in his K rate.  The reality is probably somewhere in between which is still pretty darned good.  He earned about $2.75 million and should probably be available for that or less for 2018 while he pitches at age 35. 

Sergio Romo

The former Giant closer has worked as a setup man for the past several years and for his career his ERA is a sparkling 2.69.  He has a 5:1 K to BB ratio and after a rough stop in rival LA, he was shipped to the Rays and delivered a 1.47 ERA over 25 games.  He earned $3 million last year and probably is due for a bump due to his strong finish, but at age 35 for $4 million for a guy of this quality with closing experience would be money well spent.   

Trevor Rosenthal

Another injury reclamation project, Rosenthal was pretty automatic for the Cardinals for his years as their closer including back-to-back years of 45 and 48 saves before the injuries started to make an impact.  He appeared in 50 games for the Cardinals last year but had taken a back seat to Oh as the closer.  He’s just going to be 28 years old and with the injury history depressing his price he’s a gamble that could turn out to be a bargain.  He earned $6.4 million in his final contract year but should be available for less. 

Carlos Torres

I’d mentioned the last time around that the former Met is on the FA market and durability is his middle name.  In his past five years he’s posted ERAs of 3.44, 3.06, 4.68, 2.73 and 4.21.  His games pitched during these years are 33, 73, 59, 72 and 67.  He’s not the best of the lot but he’s quality and durable.  His last contract was for $2.175 million and he’d likely earn around $2.5 million this time around. 

Any of these players fall well within the value spectrum and should appeal to the once-dubbed Moneyball with money front office.