Reese Kaplan -- Look at Me I Can Be Centerfield

It’s the time of year when glaring weaknesses become apparent and the fans get restless to see changes made to address them.  On the NY Mets expectations are high considering the PECOTA projections calling for them to run away with the NL East.  You’d think, therefore, that the team is pretty much set with everyone they need, but there’s always room for improvement.  Today we’ll leave out other aspects of incremental advancement and instead concentrate on just one spot – centerfield.

Last year we saw combinations of folks out there, including Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Juan Lagares and others ill-suited for the position.  Everyone liked Lagares’ defense but cringed every time they saw him step into the batter’s box.  The Mets let him walk away in free agency where he will try to resurrect his career as a minor leaguer with the Padres (AAA El Paso Chihuahuas literally walking distance from where I sit).  If he somehow makes the now Margot-less Padres, he will earn the princely sum of $1.4 million.  

Instead the Mets ventured out to acquire Jake Marisnick who has the Lagares defensive chops but might be offensively inferior.  His career numbers do not make you sing and dance, more like twitch and retch.  He hit .233 last year which actually boosted his career batting average.  His big season was 2017 when theoretically aided by Astros’ sign-stealing, he clubbed 16 HRs and hit (for him) a lofty .243.  For reference sake, he’s a replacement player with excellent defensive chops.

Right now the Dodgers got zinged in arbitration for Joc Pederson to the tune of $7.5 million.  For reference sake, that’s about $2 million less than the Mets last paid Lagares.  All Pederson did for that dough was club 36 HRs to go along with a somewhat tortured .249 batting average.  For his career he’s just a .233 hitter, but if he’s into the 36 HR level, then he is likely worth the modest investment. 

Many folks are clamoring for the Mets to make a deal to acquire him from the payroll-laden Dodgers.  After all, if the Yankees are aiming for him, shouldn’t the Mets?  Pederson is a talented defensive player and would add a big left handed bat to the lineup.  The problem is that the club is pretty much laded with lefty hitting between Michael Conforto, Robinson Cano, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and Dominic Smith.  From the right side they have Pete Alonso and not a lot else.   Right now there’s nowhere to play Yoenis Cespedes if his duct taped extremities are game-worthy.  JD Davis hit very well last year but he’s facing a no-room-at-the-inn situation regarding where best to hide his glove.  Wilson Ramos delivered quite well in his rookie Mets season.  If Pederson hit from the right side I’d be all over an acquisition attempt.

So what would it take to acquire Pederson?  Well, for starters think of players you don’t use enough such as Dominic Smith.  He would lower the Dodgers’ payroll and the amount he’d likely get to play in 2020 (barring injuries to others) is modest.  JD Davis would be a stiffer price to pay, particularly since the club is somewhat thin on the right side.  Rookies are always possibilities, but after being burned so badly by Seattle in 2019, it’s not as likely that Brodie Van Wagenen is going to be chomping at the bit to make that kind of deal.  Finally there are starting pitchers.  The Mets currently have 6 (including Michael Wacha), as well as some younger ones like Corey Oswalt, Walker Lockett and others who may or may not be ready for prime time.  Considering the Dodgers just dealt away a solid starter in Kenta Maeda, that might be an avenue to take.  If you offered them Rick Porcello, you’d actually save money 😊.