PIITB By JD- Mets Updates
Happy New Year to all! While we are in the new year, MLB Free Agency is still at a virtual standstill. It appears to me that teams don’t want the players on the market. They are hoping their price will drop and you can get deals.
The Mets made a move today, inking former Yankee, Harrison Bader to a 1 year, 10.5 Million dollar contract.
Bader is an excellent defender out in Center Field and Baseball Savant loves him. He is in the 93rd percentile in fielding run value with 9 OAA and ranks in the 85th percentile in sprint speed. Bader has trouble staying on the field with a slew of injuries recently.
His offense is generally subpar with a career 706 OPS. However, he has a 936 OPS and a 153 WRC+ vs lefties in 2023. That is an excellent boost and much needed considering the Mets as a team had a 708 OPS vs lefties. That is an unacceptable number and this will help that.
This move means that Nimmo will start seeing time in left field. This gives Mendoza a few possibilities to work with. With Bader in center and Nimmo in left, that means Mcneil will be able to roam the infield more and spell Baty/Vientos.
Looking forward:
I expect the Mets to acquire 2 more starters soon enough. One of the two I expect to be Sean Manaea or Hyun Jin Ryu. I see the potential for both. I would lean more towards Ryu since he has always been a starter. Additionally, this Mets team should be strong defensively and Ryu gives up a lot of soft contact.
I would also like to see the Mets acquire a DH soon. The three options are Jorge Soler, JD Martinez, and former Met, Justin Turner. My order of preference is:
Soler: Can play the outfield in a pinch. He will hit 30+ home runs and provide the protection for Pete we have been looking for. I expect he will get a 2-3 year deal. If he only wants a 2 year I would pay him whatever he wants since it is such a short deal.
Martinez: JD is a pure DH at this point. But, he had an 893 OPS for the Dodgers last year with 33 home runs. I would sign him to a 1 year deal, but he wants a sure contender so I am not sure he would sign with the Mets.
Justin Turner: I like the versatility in Turner being able to play third if needed. If Baty falters completely Turner could split time with Wendle at third instead of Wendle playing 100+ games out there. However, I am not sure how his power will translate outside of Fenway, which is something this lineup sorely needs. His age is also a major question, who knows if he can old up playing third at all.
Let’s hope the market explodes this week and we have more to talk about next week
6 comments:
Quite a Christmas list. Will Cohen and Stearns want to spend that much? Time will tell. Bader, if healthy, is a good signing.
I do hope you get some of your wishes.
Me?
I don't expect Bader to turnaround his poor hitting against righties which will turn him into a seldom used platoon CFer and a late inning defensive replacement in center
As for signing starters, two might be an aggressive number.
None of them out there warrant more than a 2 yr deal. Most 1 yr
I'd rather develop from within
Very possibly, Stewart will play six innings against righties and Bader takes over with Nimmo sliding to left field. Bader starts against lefties.
Imanaga and Manaea would be a better match. We have gone down the road if declined skills already. Have to get guys that miss bats.
Let Vientos DH. If the kid isn’t playing, why have him. Yesterday my dream of resetting the tax died. You don’t sign $10MM platoon hitters if you want to cut payroll.
Gus, I have now two upcoming articles on the subject of the cap. See what you think.
Mack, I think Bader will be good if healthy. Offense + defense = good.
Interesting, with Mendoza, that the two costliest Mets signings so far were Yankees. Mendoza got to see them up close and knows how they tick. I think Bader was damaged the last few years. The trick will be if he can play healthy.
How bout Kluber,Hand and Hoskins? That would be a petty good Off-season.
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