Reese Kaplan -- How About FAs for the Rest of the Infield?

For once the New York Mets are at a surplus not in pitching but in the infield.  We've already discussed catching and first base.  Then there's the middle infield to consider next.  For now the Mets have plenty of bodies but not as much proven ability.  After former batting champ Jeff McNeil you have the trio of Baby Mets -- Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos.  All have done very nicely in the minors but not nearly as well thus far in the majors.  One of the options the Mets may want to consider is bringing in someone as insurance in the event of failure by one or more of the youngsters.  Towards that end, let's see who's available in the middle infield first.  Some are still in the prime time of their careers while others are traipsing towards their retirement.  

Many years ago Elvis Andrus was considered to be a legitimate star in the making.  His best ever season was 6 years ago in Texas when the Rangers enjjoyed his 20 HRs, 88 RBIs and .297 batting average.  Unfortunately that season seemed to be an exception rather than the rule.  This past year he was king of the WAR numbers for a part time player, finishing at 4.6.  The down side is he's already 35 years old and part-time or emergency backup player is likely his foreseeable future.  For the White Sox playing a bit more than half time his power was down to 4 HRs and the stolen bases which in the past had topped 40 were down to a dozen.  He only earned $3 million last year but he doesn't seem like a great fit.  

The Kansas City Royals long enjoyed the combination of hitting and baserunning provided by Whit Merrifield.  This past season plus he parlayed his skills for the Toronto Blue Jays and as an All Star last year he continued to provide a solid bat and great stolen base success.  He too is 35 years old and entering the latter stage of his career, but his ability to play both the infield and outfield gives him great versatility.  A career .284 hitter he's surely not going to embarrass you in the lineup every day if necessary.  Given the Mets' likelihood to let the Baby Mets play until proving incapable, he would probably not be interested in the Mets.  His ending salary was a reasonable $6.75 million and likely he would be getting the same or less as he ages.  He played full time in 2023 and probably wants that again in 2024.  

Jonathan Schoop also offers positional versatility with the ability to play the infield and the outfield.  He once eclipsed 30 HRs but is pretty regular to hit the 20 HR mark.  He's got no speed and his lifetime batting average is .251.  Still, there are worse spare parts to have and it's likely his salary will reduce from the $7.5 million he earned in 2023.  

For his name alone, you have to be intrigued by veteran Rougned Odor.  He's a typical style power hitter with a low batting average and lots of strikeouts but has multiple times surpassed the 30-HR level.  His salary had been in Eduardo Escobar range in the recent past but now as a part time player he's likely to be offered quite a bit less.  He can play 2nd and 3rd, but he's probably still believing in his early 30s that he's a regular starter and that's not likely how the Mets would use him unless Baty, Mauricio and Vientos all fell flat on their faces.  

Former Met Amed Rosario is definitely an interesting option.  Yes, he lost his job in Cleveland but it doesn't tarnish what he's done offensively.  He's a career .272 hitter with modest power and modest speed.  He can play shortstop, 2nd base and the outfield.  Still only 28 years of age, his versatility and positive offensive numbers suggest me might not be a bad backup bet.  His last salary was $7.8 million but he's going to take a cut after being rendered into a substitute player in Los Angeles.  

Someone quite familiar to Carlos Mendoza is former Ranger and Yankee Isiah Kiner-Falefa who is under 30.  He has modest power and hits .261 for his career.  HIs versatility to play multiple positions and his 20+ stolen base ability suggest he could be a good spare part.  In 2023 when he left the Yankees he was earning $6 million but probably can be had for a bit less if it's a multi-year deal.  

The last middle infielder on this list to consider would be Tim Anderson formerly of the White Sox.  He has decent speed, holds a career .282 batting average and modest power.  He's likely looking for a full time gig and as such may not be interested in the Mets.  He would also be expensive, ending at a $12.5 million salary when he was bought out of his 2024 deal and probably is seeking a salary near that level.  Since the Mets have Francisco Lindor already in place with other spares available, Anderson is not likely a good fit.  

I'm going to bypass Matt Chapman as a third base option despite stellar defense and good power.  He'll want (and deserve) a big money deal and regular playing time as the primary third baseman.  For now I would also bypass Justin Turner whose defensive abilities were never that great though his bat is still solid and we'll revisit him when we consider DH options.  There are others, however, worth some consideration for starting or cautionary reserves for the hot corner.

Big Jeimer Candelario can play both first and third while providing decent power.  He's just 30 years old and has been playing in the Majors since 2016.  He's a switch hitter and could fit in nicely on the roster, but he's about a .251 hitter with 20+ HR power.  His ending salary with the Nationals contract was just $5 million but as his young age he'd likely want a guaranteed starting job which for now is something the Mets may not be able to offer.

32 year old Gio Urshela is someone else Carlos Mendoza knows very well.  He's played off and on since 2015 but has not been consistently healthy enough to produce each year as he's capable of doing.  Last year he went to the Angels and again played very little.  He's now a 32 year old free agent who can theoretically play SS, 3B and 1B but he's going to want to play regularly and command a salary in excess of $7 million or more per season level.  I don't see a great fit here.

Jean Segura is 34 but might be a nice roster addition.  He has shown 20 HR power and at one point 40+ stolen base ability.  He's a careerr.281 hitter and can play not just shortstop, but also second base and third base.  At this stage of his career he is definitely a credible substitute player who can help all around the infield and given his uncharacteristic 2023 ending average of just .219 he's due for a bit cut to his paycheck.  He ended the season with the Marlins ending a $6.5 million deal with a contract buyout.  Figure he might net $5 million as a part time player which is probably fair given what he has accomplished since joining the league in 2012.

Next time around we'll look at FA outfielders and DH possibilities.