Awaiting the resolution to the Carlos Correa contract negotiation situation is starting to feel less like waiting for the arrival of some grand prize to be treasured and more like sitting in the uncomfortable chairs in the doctor's office when you arrived on time yet there is no regard for your actions whatsoever.
Of course, if things fall apart completely, it will be very interesting to see what the Mets have in mind to do to address the need for a bat. Last year Eduardo Escobar was a disappointment having clubbed a subpar 20 HRs and only driving in 69 (though he had fewer than 500 ABs due to some time on the IL).
A typical season for Escobar when he received that $20 million contract (assuming the third year was never exercised and instead they paid the mandatory $500K buyout).
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Go back through his history and Escobar has produced seasons with as many as 35 HRs and 118 RBIs, but coincidentally both of those totals came during 2019, never before approached nor equaled since.
In 2021 he came back nicely, hitting .253 with 28 HRs and 90 RBIs in a season split between Arizona and Milwaukee. While it wasn't quite on par with his 2019 production, it certainly suggested that the magic wasn't gone from his bat though the in-between poor season likely depressed his price tag significantly.
As a contrast, Michael Conforto just inked a nice deal for himself with the Giants despite averaging .255 with 28 HRs and 85 RBIs per full season. Escobar is a bit down at 20 HRs and 70 RBIs with a .254 average. Though the power productivity is down a bit, is it really 80% less based upon what they each are being paid?
A story came out that the Detroit Tigers are interested in the services of Escobar. In a way, that's a nice problem to have as he becomes somewhat extraneous if somehow Correa becomes a member of the Mets. They wouldn't likely have to pay down much on the remaining year obligation of his contract and it would then reduce the logjam on the infield.
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Prior to the Correa on-again/off-again contract issue arose, mny folks wanted to see the third base position simply gifted to rookie Brett Baty. There's no arguing his rank as a hitting prospect in the Mets organization, but he's not had very much time at AAA and his defense while not quite at the J.D. Davis level of challenge, it's not going to remind anyone of Brooks Robinson either.
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Then there is fellow rookie third baseman Mark Vientos whose defense is allegedly even worse. His future is either in the outfield or at DH since first base is fully occupied. Since he hits right handed, it's entirely possible he becomes a younger alternative to the rough output of Mr. Darin Ruf.
So take a moment to think through the what-if question concerning the Mets and Correa never coming to an equitable position that results in joint signatures on a large stack of papers. Rafael Devers is now off the board with Boston's new contract.
Do you bank on Baty? Do you veer towards Vientos? Do you entertain Escobar for a sophomore season? Or is there another third base option worth considering in the trade market? Can you live with one of these in-house options if you instead try to deliver a DH?
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As Carlos Correa increasingly resembles Claude Rains in his best invisible man days, what would you do at third base?
15 comments:
If no Correa, add another pitcher and OF and go with Escobar and the kids in lieu of Correa.
It’s Correa or bust at this point. We all felt like we had Correa on the team already since the announcement of his signing so it’s like a season ending injury in my mind. (Maybe don’t announce anything in the future until it’s done)
But he is a plus hitter plus power and plus defense player. I argue he would. E the best offensive player on the team
We will all have to worry about 7-10 years later
Now for the next 2 years he is needed
Eddie
I keep Escobar no matter what. Let him be the Right handed DH/ 3B,2b backup.
I trust his stuff to get better than last year, while also keeping in mind Arizona and Milwaukee are hitters havens. So lower homer stats ere expected. I hope we keep him for a third year even with the kids coming up. He is a great teammate, hitter and plays defense and I believe for a reasonable price. Worse case scenario you can always trade him mid season this year or the next.
I would have Vientos learn 1st and LF. If he is serviceable at first he may be Alonso successor in 2 years when he walks and Mets try and reset the luxury tax?
Our payroll goes down so much for the 2025 season, so I think a reset will be forthcoming.
Zozo
I would give third to Baty, for him to win or lose it, after 200 at bats
Also I would try and sign Trevor Bauer since he can be had for the league Minimum. I know it comes with a ton of baggage but someone is going to give him the money and for 5/6 starter with a power arm that would look to good in our rotation. He probably will go to Texas?
Zozo
I don't think Uncle Stevie will ever reset and Pete like Nimmo should be a lifetime Met.
Sorry Anon but no way I want Toxic Trevor anywhere near this team. Did you see the picture of the woman he assaulted? He should be in jail.
If Correa goes elsewhere, then I think you roll with Escobar and see if Baty can take the position away from him in ST/early regular season.
Use the money Correa would have received and fill in the remaining holes on the roster (4th OF, bullpen depth).....or, perhaps extend one of McNeil or Alonso (or both?)
I agree with Zozo.....in any scenario, I keep Escobar on the roster. He is nice insurance on the bench and/or as a DH candidate (plus, his salary isn't going to make or break things regarding the luxury tax, etc).
I didn’t see a picture
Zozo
Carlos Carrera, with two good legs, is an excellent ball player. I agree with Gary - Alonso should be a lifetime Met. That said, in five years what will the lineup look like. Carrera (33), Alonso (34), Lindor (35) and Nimmo (35) will be past their prime and still owed large amounts of money with 3 to 5 years left. The Mets are developing one of the top minor league systems. What is the benefit of that if the team does not allow them to develop and advance to the MLB level? The only ones that appear to have an opportunity at this time is either Alverez or Prada.
The weakness of the lineup last year was highlighted by T. Brennan earlier this year in something like 25% of the batters batted a combined .204. (Correction gladly accepted). These at bats came mainly from the bench, third and DH. Have these been properly addressed?
Granted, Cohen has deep pockets that he can have a team with close to a $400 million annual payroll plus the luxury tax penalty. (Does Mrs Cohen agree?)
The options for addressing those three areas are not really available at this time.
Keep Escabar to backup Baty at third base. Start Vientos in AAA to get the early season problem out of the way. Then bring him up to DH. This way two of the prospects are brought into the lineup. Alverez in AAA for future development and a September call up (after the team has clinched a play-off spot). Decide on Ronny M.- second, third, outfield, trade chip?
The team to be most like is the Braves - the team the Mets need to get ahead of for the division title. Younger players signed long term to mid 30s. (when looking for info on this posted a cam across an article on their mlb official website pointing out how their lineup is signed.
Is it - contend for the world series in the short-term going through build-ups and tear-downs or strive to be a contender every year every year.
Like I said before, the problem I see with signing Correa is that the Mets would basically have a locked infield for many years to come if they also sign McNeil and Alonso to an extended contracts.
Not only that but CF would be locked as well with Nimmo although he can be moved to either RF or LF.
At that point, what would be the purpose of Baty, Mauricio (who has shown great progress in the Dominican) and Vientos?. Well, I see Vientos as a DH or 1B anyway.
But being realistic, what would the Mets draft going forward if all the IF positions are locked for at least 8 or more years?. Only RF and LF and maybe DH and pitching but everything else would be taken.
What happens 5 years from now when most of these players are on the mid 30's as another poster stated?. Why would any drafted player want to sign with the Mets knowing there is no spot for him in the future?
For me, a perfect team has veterans and a couple of hungry prospects that came from within. Young, fast, hungry and exciting. Take that away and you may end up with a team full of entitled over the hill players.
Bauer? Is Uncle Steve going to talk with Bauer?
I'm firmly with the "keep Escobar" crowd, whether we get Correa or not. In many fewer ABs than Correa, he had more XBH and RBI. After the usual "new to the league" slow start (see Lindor and others), he improved over the season and was ON FIRE from September 1st to the end, carrying the team on his back while others faltered.Even from his "weak" left side, he was great. He's a SH, and can play all over the IF except 1B.If Correa comes, he can DH. If not, he can play 3B while giving Baty a chance to get enough AB to show his stuff.
His contract runs through the end of this season, at which time so does Manny Machado's. Manny would look pretty good in Queens, no? Or maybe Baty or Mauricio can play 3B starting in '24. Or Escobar may be extended.
Correa is still my 1st choice, but we're far from doomed if the deal falls through.
Who is more likely to be a Met, Correa or Bauer?
Bring in Correa. He will be good for the team. He will produce, the lineup and defense will be better, and Baty can learn from one of the best as he gets worked in under zero pressure.
Escobar had a bad season with a small streak in the end. He is not the answer.
Vientos had a taste of the bigs last season, but was brought in under great pressure. He, like Baty, needs a chance to work into the lineup without needing to be an immediate producer of offense. A lineup with Correa is deep enough to carry him through some ABs in the 8 or 9 slot as he figures out what MLB pitchers can do better than AAA pitchers.
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