Reese Kaplan -- Figuring Out the Infielders on the Roster

If you're obsessively reading about the players the Mets could or should add to the roster if and when the lockout comes to an end, you're likely seeing names like Kris Bryant, Matt Chapman and even Trevor Story popping up as a possible "necessary" additions to the team.  You even occasionally hear other names added to the list, but each time I see this topic arise I can't help but think about the players currently on the team and what will be done with them.

There's an awful lot of press about the Mets selling low on Jeff McNeil after his disastrous 2021 season which would diminish his value despite a low salary and an upper tier track record of hitting above .300.  He is an adequate fielder on the infield and previously was thought to be a part of the new core of players around whom the Mets would build for the future.  Last year's incident with Francisco Lindor has been well publicized, but a shoving match (or even a fistfight) between two teammates usually isn't a mandatory summon to action demanding an immediate trade.  

Then there's the addition of Eduardo Escobar who in theory is a replacement for Jonathan Villar from last year's team.  Escobar earns a lot more money (nearly triple what Villar got), is 3 years older and holds a lifetime batting average 2 points lower.  He has bounced between the White Sox, Twins, Diamondbacks and Brewers throughout his eleven year career.  What does stand out is his eventual regular amount of playing time since 2018 during which the little man (merely 5'10") turned into an actual power hitter averaging 35 HRs per 162 games played.  He is capable of playing 2nd base, shortstop and 3rd base.

Another name not really considered part of the Mets future is J.D. Davis.  The minor deal that Brodie Van Wagenen made with the Astros to bring him to New York.  At first it looked like a steal when Davis turned in a first year campaign for the Mets in which he batted .307 while slugging 22 HRs in under 500 ABs.  Then came the COVID-shortened 2020 season during which Davis' average dipped under .250 while only hitting 6 HRs.  Last year fighting injuries he was up to .285 but hit just 5 HRs.  The power is there for sure, but hand injuries make it difficult to grip a bat properly to take a home run swing.  Most people who are Mets fans are ready to give up on him entirely.  

The most conspicuous name with uncertainty is PED poster child Robinson Cano.  The man is due to earn a total of $24 million in 2022 and 2023 for a totally unknown level of production. We're all aware of his horrific 2019 arrival in New York with a stat line of just .256 with only 13 HRs and 39 RBIs.  That then was followed by an outstanding 2020 when he hit .316 with 10 HRs and 30 RBIs in about 1/3 of a season's worth of ABs.  Then came 2021 where he was put on the shelf for his second known violation of the league's anti-PED policies.  Were his impressive 2020 numbers the result of what he apparently injected or was it a return to his allegedly natural level of talent?  Right now no one knows what to do with Cano and you generally don't cut guys set to earn $48 million by contract.  On the flip side, if he is a member of the Mets, you generally don't bench guys earning that kind of salary either.  

There are other players in the mix, too, like Francisco Lindor and Luis Guillorme, but their roles are already solidly defined.  What the Mets need to do if they are indeed hell bent on adding more infielders to the team is figure out what to do with the ones they already have.  McNeil and Escobar are certainly quality players.  Davis is a question mark due to his health and Cano is a question mark due to his decision making.  Paying a new player north of $20 million per season on the surface is not a smart move until other actions are taken.