Twitter has been all aflutter regarding the reports by many beat reporters that various unsigned free agents are being considered by the Mets for the utility outfield positions on the 26. Names being thrown around include Andrew McCutchin, Adam Duvall, Trey Mancini, David Peralta and Jurickson Profar. Let’s take a look into each of these seasoned veterans:
McCutchen - 36-years old. Coming off an inconsistent season. Has lost some power since being an all-star for the Pirates. 2022: career-low .700-OPS (1.1-WAR, 17-HR, .237), but still a league average hitter. Still a solid corner outfielder.
Duvall - 34-years old. 2022 was cut short with a season ending wrist surgery. Partial 2022 stats were: .213/.276/.401. Struck out 32.1% of his at-bats. 6.7% career walk ratio. Excellent defensive work in the outfield. Speedy out there. Awarded Gold Glove in 2021 for RF.
Mancini - 30-years old. Plays first, outfield, and DH. 2022 stats - 1.4-WAR, 18-HR, .239. Could platoon with Vogelbach at DH. So-so fielder. Hits the same against all pitchers, but had a .889-OPS in 2021 against southpaws.
Peralta - 35-years old. 2022: 0.7-WAR, 439-AB, 12-HR, .251. Silver Slugger in 2018. Gold Glove in 2019. Originally signed as a pitcher. Perfect example of an aging body. Superior hitter but decline started in 2019 with a shoulder injury. A left handed bench bat at best.
Profar - 29-years old. Plays left field, second base, and shortstop, 2022 stats: 3.1-WAR, 575-AB, 15-HR, .243. Declined his $7.5mil 2023 offer. Boras client. Looking for a 2-year deal. Youngest and most versatile of all players written about. You have to respect the 3.1-WAR
Mack - Me? Well, McCutchen has always been a favorite of mine and is a great clubhouse guy, but all my emphasis here would be in signing Profar. I would have no problem with a two deal deal. A perfect OF4 in my opinion.
I agree with you that Profar is the top of this list. Others are damaged goods with performance years in their past.
ReplyDeleteMcCutcheon for one year or Profar for two - I can live with either scenario. I don't want Andrew for 2 years. I do not like the idea that every time you get a free agent you seem to have to give them at least one year longer, at big dollars, than you otherwise would have logically.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet sometimes putting a need to bed for 2 yrs is a good thing
DeleteI like 1 yr with a 2nd yr team option
DeleteMcCutchen 1yr Pirates
ReplyDeleteAndrew will play more there
ReplyDeleteProfar has a career OPS vs LHPs of .686. By comparison, Ruf, including his awful '22 here, has a career. 891!! OPS vs LHPs. If we need a RH bat to platoon with Vogie, maybe Ruf can return to his career norm.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for me to realize that JP is still under 30.It seems like 20 years ago that he came up.
Best pure hitter of the group is Mancini. He is a below average fielding OF. But could be the everyday DH to be inserted in the lineup after McNeil or Alonzo (depending if Buck wishes to go R-L-R in the 4th, 5th and 6th slots in the lineup).).
ReplyDeleteAlso, Buck has some history with Trey!
ReplyDeletehttps://pressboxonline.com/2020/05/04/former-orioles-manager-buck-showalter-on-what-makes-trey-mancini-so-special/
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Hobbs
DeleteHas the gut shot healed?