Since the New York Mets signed free agent
catcher Wilson Ramos who played for both the Tampa Bay Rays and the
Philadelphia Phillies last season to a two-year $19 million contract they now
are looking to trade Kevin Plawecki or Travis d’ Arnaud. They feel one of them
is now expendable.
The Mets announced a couple of days ago that d’Arnaud has avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract with them
for $3.515 million.
The Mets can still possibly trade him and a few teams have
been interested mainly because of his bat even though he has had health issues
since the 2012 season.
There are a few teams that also show an interest in Plawecki. Also, the Mets still hope to add a primary left-handed reliever.
After the Cano and Diaz deal and the
signing of Familia and Ramos Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen stated
that the Mets should now be viewed as the favorites to win the National League
East next year.
When the other teams in the division see this, it becomes part
of the locker room clipboard. You do not want to fire up the other teams in
your division. The other teams will be extra motivated when they begin spring
training. Also, a prediction like that can put pressure on the Mets.
Most fans
believe in the concept of division titles not being won in the paper, but won on the field.
The other teams in the division also made moves to
improve themselves. The Washington Nationals added to their starting rotation
and signed free agent pitchers Patrick Corbin and Anibal Sanchez. They also
signed first baseman Matt Adams to a one-year contract.
The Philadelphia
Phillies acquired 2018 All-Star infielder Jean Segura from the Seattle Mariners.
The defending National League Eastern Division champion Atlanta Braves signed
free agent catcher Brian McCann who brings plenty of experience working with
pitchers which would be an asset to the Braves young rotation. I think it will
go down to the wire to see who wins this division.
In other Mets news, they signed outfielder
Gregor Blanco who played with the San Francisco Giants to a minor league
contract and was invited to spring training. In 68 games last season he batted
.217 with two homers and 12 runs batted in.
Former Mets pitcher and free agent
Matt Harvey signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Another former
Met, free agent infielder Daniel Murphy signed a two-year contract with the Colorado
Rockies.
8 comments:
Another nice weekly recap Mr. Plate.
I would be more concerned with the lack of addition Mets action right now if the rest of the league was active. They aren't.
I agree, Tony.....I think one of our current back up catchers will be on the move (maybe both?).
I find it funny that some fans (not here, of course) are freaking out over BVW's sudden lack off moves. There is plenty of time to add to our roster and I am cautiously optimistic that we will all be pretty happy once April rolls around.
Good work on your article.
I agree with Mack - plenty of time to make more moves, and sometimes you can get the guy you want cheaper if you wait.
But "more moves" are an absolute must - it should be interesting to see which ones they make.
Maybe the plan will be to not boost salary much now, but be willing to do so around the All Star break if the Mets are in the thick of the race then (as I assume the Mets will be).
Like most businesses, look to January 7th as the first real work week post holiday season.
Problem with increasing payroll later.... it also costs prospects.
AND
the Mets might not have anything of interest for the other team.
Smarter move this year is to spend in free agency.
Might as well spend on the cream of the crop
Bob, I agree that we look to go big, and not always cede that ground to NYY, BOSOX, LAD.
I think BVW is monitoring the market for Harper and Machado and see if there is some way to pull off the big move. As a former agent, he must have some insight into creative financing deals that might work even with the Wilpons controlling the purse strings. If the Mets were to somehow pull off a Harper signing does that make Conforto or Nimmo available as a trade chip and if so for what? Lets be Philly and spend stupid money by shipping one of them to Cleveland for Kluber.
Considering the lack of outfield talent in the upper minors, I would definitely keep all of the Mets outfielders even if Harper is acquired.
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