The Mets have acquired first baseman James Loney from the Padres for cash considerations, the Padres have announced. Loney had an opt-out in his minor-league deal with the Friars, although the move that brings him to New York is a trade. The bulk of Loney’s $8MM 2016 salary will be paid by the Rays, who signed him to a three-year deal prior to the 2014 season and then released him in early April.
The Mets were on the lookout for a first baseman with Lucas Duda out for a significant stretch due to a stress fracture in his back. Loney was an obvious potential target, and many speculated from the beginning that the Mets could pursue him. That appears to be exactly what they did. Earlier this week, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported that the Mets had at least some degree of interest.
Loney was hitting .342/.373/.424 with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in El Paso. He previously played in ten MLB seasons, spending time with the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Rays, while compiling a career .285/.338/.411 line. While he’s mostly retained his ability to hit for average as his career has progressed, though, his power numbers have dwindled — he once regularly hit ten to 15 home runs a season, but last year with the Rays he hit just four while posting a .357 slugging percentage. Once a plus defensive first baseman, his fielding numbers have taken a tumble as well, with both UZR and DRS marking him as significantly worse in the last two seasons than he was in 2011 through 2013.
Given the Mets’ need, though, and the fact that the cash return the Mets will send the Padres is presumably nominal, it’s no surprise that the team pursued him despite his flaws. He’s a longtime starter who has experience and some level of on-base ability. The team can also potentially protect the lefty hitter by using Eric Campbell at first against lefty starters.
Adam Rubin of ESPN reported that Loney was headed to the Mets and that the deal was a trade (Twitter links). Jon Heyman tweeted that the Padres would receive cash considerations in return.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Too bad he’s fishing
I wonder what double a player we got now ?
Most sensible pickup, least exciting but sensible.
I’m a mets fan and this makes a lot of sense
I’ve always liked Loney, never really understood the disdain towards him. Should look to make the mets a better all round team
If you look at his numbers its extremely clear why theres disdain towards him. He’s averaged only .35 fWAR over the last 4 seasons including an abysmal -1.3 last year. Doesn’t mean this was an bad pick up just cause the cost of acquisition was so small.
Agreed. He’s always been a singles only hitting 1b, that does not walk and had a good glove, hence the low OBP despite hitting at/near .300 each year and now? The glove is slipping making him a AAAA type player if he wants to continue. Just not worth a spot on a competitive team’s 40 man roster spot, much less 25 man and expected to get the majority of playing time.
Dude hit .280 last year with .322obp and you saying He doesn’t belong in the ML’s?? Gimme a break. You act like he’s some scrub b/c he doesn’t hit for Pwr. I will take .280 guy on bench anytime. It’s a shame he hadn’t had a job til now.
A .280 batting average is great but since he’s limited to 1B and doesn’t have a great glove, is it worth a roster spot? Assuming a four man bench, you need a catcher, an outfielder, a middle infielder, and one other guy. Would you rather carry a .280 hitter with limited pop who is stuck at 1B/DH or say a .250 hitter with more positional versatility and/or good pop? In my opinion, I’d sacrifice the .280 hitter if it means getting a utility guy in.
.280 hitter with hits in his bat. PH/DH occasionally. Yes. It worth a spot.
Considering the Mets need a 1b, then yes, it’s worth a roster spot.
Yes..bc:
1. Mets need a 1B
2. Mets have too many all or nothing bats, so a higher avg is preferred, albeit at a position thought of as a big bat.
The disdain towards him is because he stinks!
Good pickup for NYM.
Good professional player lord the mets need that type on that team
The Mets needed a first baseman and the Padres needed some extra money. Looks like it works for both sides.
Solid move.
Not a sexy move but better than Eric Campbell
Modern day version of Wes Parker.
Good comparison. More recently, he’s sort of similar to Lyle Overbay (who was better) or Travis Ishikawa (who is not as good).
And the white sox are about to get Shields from the Padres. That will hopefully seal Venturas fate! I wonder if the Padres would include their manager?
Can’t complain about the acquisition considering cash was the only thing the Mets gave up. Not a bad fill-in for now…
I like the move. Mets give up nothing for a guy who can definitely help them a bit
I think the prevailing sentiment here is the correct one. This is by no means a season-changing move, but it’s a solid low-risk one. He’s got limitations, but he’s a pro who works hard.
To bad I thought the Mets woulda kicked the tires on Kelly Johnson again. Similar player to Loney more power more versatility and familiar from ending the season with them last year.