Reese Kaplan -- Start Pondering How to Add Offense...

If you ever want to get a raucous debate going with fellow Mets fans talk about who was the best first baseman the club ever had?  The vast majority of people will vociferously endorse current broadcaster Keith Hernandez who was a magician with the glove and a steady offensive force at the plate.  He had decent power, hit for a high average and played very intelligent baseball.  For his seven seasons as a Met he hit .297 and averaged about 12 HRs and 83 RBIs per year.

One guy who often gets neglected in this overwhelming fan endorsement is the one brought here for the mere price of Robert Person.  John Olerud was a highly competent fielder as well with three Gold Gloves on his mantle.  During his three seasons as a Met he hit .315 with an average of 21 HRs and 97 RBIs each year.  My unpopular but valid opinion is that he was perhaps even more valuable to the Mets for three years than Mex was for seven. 

This debate sprang to mind once again as a hypothetical trade keeps getting mentioned to bring the Tampa Bay Rays first baseman/DH Yandy Diaz to the Mets.  With the bat Diaz is not far off from what Olerud did.  Last season, for example, he hit .300 with 25 HRs and drove in 83.  It’s not quite the same level but it matches what Hernandez did for the club while he was here (plus more power). 

There are two glaring problems with this potential acquisition.  First of all, Diaz is not a slick fielder and despite having endured Pete Alonso’s less than stellar defense and David Stearns making a big deal about run prevention he is less than ideal at first base.  He’d be a decent DH candidate for the club and in that role he’s less likely to risk injuries.  This issue is point number two.  He’s going to be age 35 during the 2026 season and will be paid $12 million.  He’s a short term solution who could help provide much more offense than the Mets have ever gotten from the Designated Hitter since it’s introduction to the National League.  Still, for the kind of offense he delivers there are far worse candidates to consider.

What would it take to get him?  Well, with a strong offensive 2025 season and just one year remaining on his contract it is going to take a pretty decent return.  Some suggest a lower level highly rated pitching prospect or perhaps one of the surplus of people who could have the potential to be low budget solutions for a club like the Rays who never seem to want to spend excessively on their payroll.  Ryan Clifford may not be enough alone to get it done, but showing 29 HRs and 93 RBIs last season in the minors suggests that he has the potential to be a first base replacement for Tampa.  A pitching prospect like Brandon Sproat could do it though deeper in the minors Jack Wenninger, Will Watson or Jonathan Santucci would be more likely. 

He’s not the most conspicuous candidate to help the club in 2026 but considering a relatively modest cost it may be worth some consideration.