Reese Kaplan -- Maybe Selling High Isn't A Bad Idea

Tough times sometimes call for tough measures.  There has been a lot of correspondence of late about the value that Brandon Nimmo brings to the team and how difficult he would be to replace.  He's an adequate fielder, a "meh" thrower but does provide great OBP and significant power.  His smile has endeared him to fans who were weary of the Lucas Duda types who mostly delivered on the field but looked as if the game was more challenge than playtime.  

Sometimes people get enamored with someone with a particular aspect of their game.  Earlier this week there were lots of rumblings when the club chose to DFA Sam Hagerty as they needed the roster spot for Rick Porcello.  He could run.  

Last year Brodie Van Wagenen made some highly questionable personnel decisions and I won't reiterate them right now as some of you may be trying to digest your morning coffee.  One of the shining lights was the acquisition of good hit/no field/no run Houston Astro J.D. Davis.  He turned in one of the finest rookie seasons we've seen, well, this side of Pete Alonso.  Many people have him earmarked to start the season in left field with Brandon in the middle and Michael Conforto in right.  

If I'm a Mets' pitcher, that outfield alignment would have me going to Costco or Sam's Club for a 55 gallon drum of antacid.  What they may help you win with their bats they may indeed give back (and then some) with their less-than-outstanding defensive efforts.  JDD has the label "Born to be a DH" written all over him but you could see the outrage forming if the Mets actually moved in that direction. Therein lies the rub.  Do you keep a player around that helps make the GM who found him look good at the expense of what happens as balls sail over his head and fall between he and the average centerfielder alongside him?  

There is an old saying to "sell high" when the opportunity presents itself.  Perhaps it's time for the Mets to consider that advice.  If you moved JDD back to an AL team where he could play a less challenging position such as 1B or DH, then he could likely be a more beneficial player overall.  

In return, off a season that saw him provide a .307 batting average to go along with 22 HRs and 57 RBIs in 453 ABs, there should be plenty of interested parties.  Those are some mighty gaudy numbers and could likely reinforce your farm team or help address a more prominent need such as future catcher for the period beyond Wilson Ramos or pitchers beyond those folks hitting free agency.  

Of course, the other way of looking at it is to pencil him into the Mets' future and let Yoenis Cespedes play out the end of his very expensive contract.  

In the past the Mets have soured early on various players who showed potential, including Greg Jefferies, Jeff Kent and others.  There's a huge risk to make this kind of move.  However, the reward might outweigh the risk.  For all we know the minor leaguers we gave up to get Davis might exceed him.  For now he's the kingpin and on top of the world.  

Rather than just riding on that positive first full season, maybe instead it's time to try to leverage the investment.