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1/11/18

Reese Kaplan -- Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop


The Mets stunned the baseball world (and especially their own fan base) by bringing back Jay Bruce on a backloaded deal that will pay him $10 million in 2018, then $14.5 million each of the next two years. If the rumored $10 million payroll budget was a hard total, then they are done. If there is room to add (or players to be moved such as A.J. Ramos or Juan Lagares) to free up additional funds, then perhaps there’s still room to make more roster additions. If the latter is true, what should they do? 

Many people are actively seeking a Tood Frazier or Mike Moustakas addition to third base with Asdrubal Cabrera moving to 2B. Trading Ramos and Lagares for prospects would free up $15.5 million this year and get you out from under the $9 million obligation for the flashy centerfielder for next year, so that is indeed doable. However, there are other ways to go that might be more prudent that putting all your eggs in one more very expensive basket. 

Remember, Sandy Alderson’s mantra since arriving has been payroll flexibility. Locking in another long term deal for one of the aforementioned third baseman runs contrary to that philosophy. Furthermore, it presupposes you’re willing to close the chapter on David Wright’s career (even if he isn’t). Both of these factors lead me to believe that the Mets are not going in that direction. 

Similarly, the younger and somewhat more versatile Eduardo Nunez would require a multiyear commitment. You could argue at this stage of their respective careers for somewhat similar players, he’s a better bet than Jose Reyes would be, but the long term financial commitment makes me think there’s a reason he’d never been in any of the many Mets rumors that we’ve heard. 

No, I think the team is probably more likely to find the types of players who could address multiple positions but not require long term deals. Towards that end both Jose Reyes and Howie Kendrick are more likely to capture Sandy Alderson’s attention. Reyes has had limited time in the outfield, but can play 2B, SS or 3B, plus serve as something of a mentor to Amed Rosario. Kendrick is a better hitter who has logged much more OF time (184 games) and his natural position of 2B is still considered by many to be wide open (Wilmer Flores notwithstanding). 

Either of these two infielders could probably be enticed on a 1 or 2 year deal. Reyes’ requirements are probably more modest considering he’s already getting paid $4 million for the buyout of his option year by Colorado. Kendrick is coming off a $10 million contract during which he hit .315/9/41 in 315 ABs (about half a season’s worth of production). Arguably Kendick makes more sense because he can be counted on to start in the OF when necessary and if you’re going to jettison Lagares you will be at least one outfielder short. 

Assuming you spend $8 million or so for one of these players you still have a few shekels left to add to other spots on the roster. More likely, of course, the extra money would simply be pocketed. Either way, these types of additions are more likely to warm the cockles of the Wilpons’ hearts than would 3+ year commitments to the Mendoza-line Frazier or the walk-year-wonder Moustakas.
 

10 comments:

  1. I think the Bruce deal is a major plus. The more games the Mets win, the greater the attendance should be, especially if they win enough to be a playoff contender. Bruce gets them close to playoff level right now, if there is reasonable team health. Getting a player of his quality that cheaply probably surprised them.

    If I were them, I would realize that a few good acquisitions after this Bruce deal would greatly increase the chances of season-long playoff contention, and so would be worth spending on. I'd expand the budget accordingly. The revenue most likely would make it worth it.
    Reyes, Kendrick, or Frazier - any of the 3 are OK with me.

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  2. Reese

    It's moot point about Moose.

    There will never be a deal for him.

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  3. I like Kendrick on a one or two year deal......especially if we are sending redundant players out in a trade or two (Lagares, Dom Smith).

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  4. At least Kendrick provides something the team is always light on...... a .300 batting avg!

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  5. I think the next player Sandy signs will be Frazier

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  6. I like Kendrick, but also Nunez and Castro, and even would settle for Reyes. But the big need is for a leadoff man who can play 2B. Frazier is the redundant one, with his low BA and OBP. Another Duda.

    Why does it seem so many fans are ready to give up on Smith, one of our top prospects who has only had a few months of MLB?He apparently wasn't ready, but that's vastly different from "redundant".

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  7. Sorry, I left out Harrison, who should IMO be our #1 target.

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  8. Frazier please, Bruce and him are great clubhouse presences which this team desperately needs to succeed.

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  9. Rosario's OBP was .367 in AAA and .390+ before that. Just as people are trashing Dom Smith after a few months, no one seems to realize that Rosario's future is as a leadoff hitter. Now that we have a new manager who hopefully doesn't set up younger ballplayers for failure to justify his misuse of them, perhaps he will develop accordingly.

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