One of the primary issues during this owner/player lockout is the prospect of the designated hitter becoming a part of the National League lineup as well. Whether you are for the DH or against it, the fact is that if the DH becomes a new weapon for the Mets and the rest of their NL competitors, the question becomes who would be the best to serve the role?
The first way to examine this conundrum is to think about who is already a part of the team and whether or not one of those individuals will contribute enough with the bat to represent the team well as its new DH. There are a number of candidates who might be better off with a bat in his hands than attempting to field a position effectively.
While others might come to mind first, one of Brodie Van Wagenen's early acquisitions was slugger J.D. Davis. The man had not done much at the Major League level for the Astros, but his minor league numbers were indeed appealing. Over roughly the equivalent of four full seasons before ascending to The Show he was good for an average of 27 HRs and 100 RBIs per season. He maintained a .292 average while fanning a bit too much, but those numbers are hard to ignore.
For the Mets he has had his ups and downs with about 20 HRs and 60 RBIs per full season worth of ABs. If he's healed from his injuries and there isn't much offered in return for him in trades, he's an inexpensive bit of right handed punch that might value from only having to swing the bat.
To many folks the answer to the DH slot should be Dom Smith. Although he's improved significantly in the outfield where you don't get the Todd Hundley shudders every time a ball is hit in his direction, the fact is that he is a well above average first baseman but is blocked by star Pete Alonso. Consequently, trying to get Smith into the lineup means swallowing hard at the defensive challenge in the outfield or testing him out at DH.
To many folks the answer to the DH slot should be Dom Smith. Although he's improved significantly in the outfield where you don't get the Todd Hundley shudders every time a ball is hit in his direction, the fact is that he is a well above average first baseman but is blocked by star Pete Alonso. Consequently, trying to get Smith into the lineup means swallowing hard at the defensive challenge in the outfield or testing him out at DH.
Offensively, he also has had his hot and cold intervals for the Mets, but overall he averages 23 HRs and 81 RBIs but hitting just .252. Some think the club might wiser to let him play 1B and moving Pete Alonso to DH, but you usually don't do that to someone who is your offensive star and who takes pride in his efforts to field the position. Smith is your lefty power hitting option.
The third obvious candidate for this role would be more about a contractual obligation and concern about decreased range by shifting Robinson Cano from 2B to DH. While no one can really predict what to expect out of Cano without PEDs, you can't deny his career output. As recently as 2020 he hit .316 and was on his way to a 30 HR season, but then he was found to be using steroids again which caused him to miss the entire 2021 season.
In an average season he's good for a .303 AVG with 24 HRs and 94 RBIs. He's another left handed option but there is concern about how productive he would be while having been nabbed twice already for banned substances.
There are many other players who could theoretically insert into the DH role, but none jump out at you as having the best fit. The club could turn to look at players in the free agent marketplace who have run producing ability but who are not particularly adept defensively.
There are many other players who could theoretically insert into the DH role, but none jump out at you as having the best fit. The club could turn to look at players in the free agent marketplace who have run producing ability but who are not particularly adept defensively.
A good example would be Kyle Schwarber, the ex-Cub, National and Red Sox player was good for pretty impressive power. The big lefty averages 37 HRs per 162 game season, but batting average has always been an issue in addition to fielding. He is a career .237 hitter and the club would have to decide if they want to pay first class salary dollars for Dave Kingman style production.
There is one former Met (at the minor league level) who averages 39 HRs and 107 RBIs per season who is on the free agent marketplace. Nelson Cruz may be 41 years of age but he still appears to be slugging at a prodigious level. The big right handed hitter is a career .277 hitter and came close again last year with .265. He would command significant money but likely not as much as a younger player would get and the duration of the deal would likely be pretty short.
There is one former Met (at the minor league level) who averages 39 HRs and 107 RBIs per season who is on the free agent marketplace. Nelson Cruz may be 41 years of age but he still appears to be slugging at a prodigious level. The big right handed hitter is a career .277 hitter and came close again last year with .265. He would command significant money but likely not as much as a younger player would get and the duration of the deal would likely be pretty short.
So who do you think should be the Mets first designated hitter?
12 comments:
Simply, adding Showalter to the equation essentially means: whomever he wants. At least that's the way I see it. He is probably presented with the same list and asked for his input. He wants to win a war. He needs the right weapons to win the division. He went 47-115 once with a team that gave him the wrong weapons.
Under that scenario, if Cano is a retread of his former self, he's gone.
If they are not convinced Smith can do the job, he won't get it.
It would be very fitting if the Mets traded Nelson Cruz before he did anything, then he does great for 15 years, if they got him back and he suddenly showed his age.
Tough choices.
Me? If possible, I'd get Freddie Freeman and put Pete at DH. Greatly improves Mets, greatly diminishes Braves.
Freeman would be a tremendous move. How many years you give him for how much $? He turned 32 in September. He may want 8 years at $30+M a year. If we are trying to just win next year, why not?
The correct DH for the Mets is Pete Alonso. By all defensive metrics, he has been negative every year in the majors. Last year, JD Davis rated average at 3B in a short sample size, but he would also be a good candidate at first base if Smith isn’t the answer.
Buck Showalter has told us that he values defense. Therefore, Alonso needs to be traded or moved to DH. Cano will stick around until things get serious. You cut him now, you owe every penny. If the season is delayed, you save. If he gets injured in spring training, you save. There’s no reason to be hasty.
Good morning Gents...hope everyone had a happy and healthy Christmas.
I would love me some Freddie Freeman...yes please. I just don't see how we can possibly sign him. Do you think 5 years/150mil would do it? Neither do I. But, I agree he's the one hitter I would really want.
I would stick with what we have at DH. J.D. Davis should get at bats, Dom Smith, Cano most certainly will get some at bats, rest for the Pete once in a while....I think we are good.
I think the remainder of the off season has to be about pitching. You need 1 more good starting pitcher and 1 good reliever and a lefty.
Happy New Year guys
There are several possibilities as discussed in prior comments, and I'm sure that spring training (if it happens) will be an audition. However, here is a different way to look at the DH position. The Mets are building depth on their roster, with several capable players not a lock for a starting position: McNeil, Smith, Davis, Cano, Canha, Escobar. So Buck could look at the DH position as a rest option to rotate starters through while the bench players get a day in the field to maintain proficiency. example: Alonso gets a day at DH, Smith at first; Marte gets a day at DH, Nimmo to CF, Canha or McNeil to right.
As of now, I see 6 guys [Pete, Dom, Squirrel, JD, Canha, Cano] for 4 positions i1B, LF, 3B, DH]. That's 4x162=648 game/slots of which Alonso should occupy 150, leaving nearly 500 for the other 4.
OK, Cano/McNeil could do spot duty at 2B, but I see Guillorme as the occasional ss/2B relief for Lindor/Escobar.
I don't mind that mix as long as there's no hesitancy to shit-can Cano if he's less than Squirrel level. Don't see Freddy or Schwarzenegger (whatever) added to the roster, but a slightly better cahnce of Cruz as 5th or 6th OF'er (Canha, Dom & McNeil are 3,4,5).
Gus, good points.
John, getting Freddie could spur a multi-year run.
Joe P - it depends how pre-emptive Cohen wants to get this year. He can have a $300 million payroll - he's rich. And most likely much richer after the bull market of 2022. His call.
Paul - they need to rest guys, for sure. So a rotation strategy, with a main DH, would make sense. They need to avoid leg injuries that keep guys out for several weeks. Again, I am puzzled why so many guys pull leg muscles now compared to the 1960s to 1980s, where I recall a lot more base stealing and a lot fewer leg injuries. Reality in 2022 dictates everyone (but Alonso) get rest. Pete is a machine.
Big Pete plays first and bats in the middle of the lineup. Davis and Cano platoon at DH unless one goes on a tear and takes the job. McNeil gets 100 ABs at second to win the job.
Santa keeps it simple.
In 2022, each Mets comeback should be termed a Santa Rally
If you bring Freddie Freeman in to play 1b and switch Alonso to DH, you can almost guarantee that Alonso won't have his typical year as it will affect his mental approach.
The Braves have proven time and time again to be a very smart organization so if they don't want Freeman back, the Mets should also stay away. Not saying the Braves won't try to bring him back but if they don't, that's should be a clue for the Mets to stay away as well.
Besides, why pay the money when you can have decent production from a number of players that are already inhouse?.
You use Smith or J.D. Davis or even Cano as your DH and they can become attractive trade pieces if they rebound.
Freddie's a difference maker like Keith Gary and Mike were AND a big subtraction for the Bravos so if we're in it to win it he's on my team and I also think he's a huge plus in the clubhouse for us and a big minus for the Braves.
Question is, if Freddie's loss from the Braves and addition to the Mets increased their division title chances by 80%, Pete might be OK with it. Trust me, Pete hates going home before the playoffs start, the competitor that he is.
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