Certainly, the Mets have more pressing matters at the moment than deciding whether to issue a $16.7MM qualifying offer to second baseman Neil Walker. Keeping pace in the Wild Card race takes priority over keeping Walker in town for 2017.
That being said, the team doesn’t have much time until it’ll make a tough call on Walker, who’ll qualify for free agency just after turning 31. The QO was all but a given before Walker’s recent back surgery — he provided New York with 458 plate appearances of .282/.347/.476 production and 23 home runs before going down — but that procedure throws some uncertainty into the matter.
Let’s look at the scary side first. Walker’s back surgery addressed a herniated disk that was causing numbness in his toes and carried a risk of worsening problems. Any back issues are obviously concerning for a big league player of any kind, especially when teams haven’t had a chance to see how the player looks upon his return.
On the other hand, Walker says he’s already progressing nicely and is pain-free for the first time in quite a while. It’ll be three months until he can participate in baseball activities, but that’s plenty of time to allow him to prepare for a full Spring Training. Indeed, he seemingly suggests that it should be viewed as a net positive, as he’ll no longer be saddled by the pain. Plus, it’s hard to ignore Walker’s straight seasons of above-average offensive production from an up-the-middle position — one that he fielded at an average (per DRS) to above-average (per UZR) level in 2016 despite posting below-average metrics in prior years.
Certainly, the Mets are privy to much more detailed information about Walker’s health than we are. But the question seems to boil down to one of financial risk versus the evident upside, which could come in one of two ways. If Walker declines the QO, then the Mets would stand to recoup draft compensation if he signs elsewhere. And if he accepts, but returns to health, he could well represent an appealing investment — even at that high rate — on just a single season commitment. That’s all the more true given that New York would arguably we well-served to retain an additional veteran infielder given the ongoing back and neck-related questions surrounding David Wright and the still-undetermined tender status of first baseman Lucas Duda (who just returned in part-time duty from his own back troubles).
While Sandy Alderson and co. bat things around, let’s see where the MLBTR readership stands (link for app users):
Thats a no-brainer! He was a steal from the Pirates, they have more pressing needs in the offseason than to have to find another veteran infielder to replace him. Although, not offering a QO and offering him a 2-3 year pact seems plausible also. Quality bat, Mets need veteran infielders with so much uncertainty surrounding Wright, Duda, having traded away Dilson.
Yes, the uncertainty surrounding Wright and Duda concerning their back issues should convince the Mets to sign a 30+ second baseman with back issues.
That’ll fix everything.
QO means you’ll either get a draft pick if he signs elsewhere or you get him in a 1yr/$16.7MM should he accept. It’s a win-win either way. (And if you want to sign Walker longer than that’s on you.)
The NYM will regret the Dilson Herrera trade which pushed them to a QO for Walker.
Trading a prospect for a 30 homer 100 RBI guy is as big a no brainer as there is in baseball. You do that 11 or 10 times.
Having already traded Dilson away, and a pretty thin free agency market for 2B, i think re-signing Walker isnt a hard choice, did not say it will fix everything, DID say they have other more pressing needs.
If Walker accepts, it’ll just add even more financial burden that will lower their chances of resigning Yo (should he opt out).
Maybe they can trade Bruce back to Cincinnati for Herrera if they add in another prospect lol
T.J. Rivera has looked pretty good in the field and great at the plate. Like Walker but really don’t like the back issue. Let him go and fill the spot from within.
Should they? Maybe. Will they? No. The Mets will continue to pretend to be a small market team, complain about the burdens of David Wright’s contract and pitchers going to arbitration while they make Walker the 4th best offer he receives on the open market to say to their loyal fan base, “we tried!”
Large market teams need to take financial risks. This is such a no-brainer for a team that calls New York home…
Yes: he’s gotten excellent recent results, so that price would be a bargain for him on a 1 year deal, and because he’s absolutely getting a better deal on the FA market than the QO price, they will get a 1st rd pick.
Offering him a QO gives the Mets a great chance to get another 1st round pick and while they’re not getting a great first round pick because of their good record, they will be getting an additional one close after that pick, so it sure would take the sting off the higher numbered first pick.
How can you give a guy coming off herniated disk $16.8 million? Disk surgery is bad enough if you sit at a desk for a living. Swinging a bat at 90 mph every night creates tremendous amount of torque on the back. That’s why players spend more time strengthening their core muscles more than anything else. If he gets the offer then he will gladly accept it so he can have a chance of building his value for 2018. If he hurts himself again, he will have $16.8 million of the Mets money in the bank. Bottom line, the Mets medical staff will eventually make this decision.
I can’t believe people are seriously suggesting they give him a QO. There are three possible scenarios here. One is that he gets hurt again and misses more games then he plays. Second is that he plays but produces at a much lower level. Third is that he comes back as good as he was before. The Mets lose in two out of three scenarios, they need to let him go.
The Mets have Reyes and Flores under control next year as well as Wright coming back. They have limited payroll and cannot afford to throw away money on another player with a bad back.
Cespedes is the primary issue, by far. Make sure we keep him and get us a 1B
No, use Flores/Rivera and Johnson if he’s back. Use that money towards Cespedes and a major league CATCHER. The position that needs the most upgrading and has not produced anything for them.
Mets fans should not let emotions get the best of them , This another David Wright story, waiting to happen ,They can get a Replacement for Walker thru a Trade or in the Markets , Phillips in Cinn . can be had for a bag of Balls and Gordon in Miami would be available.
What’s wrong with tJ Rivera?