Heartened by the improved play of Asdrubal Cabrera at third base and the versatility it adds to his repertoire, the Mets are “warming” to the idea of exercising Cabrera’s 2018 club option, reports Newsday’s Marc Carig. As Carig points out, Cabrera’s $8.5MM option comes with a relatively notable $2MM buyout, so the decision on him effectively comes down to a one-year, $6.5MM call. The Mets had been shopping Cabrera more aggressively earlier in July but actually backed off a bit leading up to the non-waiver deadline, according to Carig. New York is hardly closed off to the idea of trading Cabrera, but with the possibility of receiving only a marginal return in an August deal, the Mets may also simply elect to plan for him to play multiple positions at a reasonable rate in 2018. Cabrera, 32 in November, is hitting .262/.338/.405 with nine homers in 2017.
More on the Mets…
- Carig also reports that the Mets have “explored” the possibility of keeping Jay Bruce beyond the 2017 season — an arrangement that would leave Michael Conforto as the team’s primary center fielder at least for a few years. GM Sandy Alderson has expressed growing confidence that Conforto could handle that spot, however, Carig continues. The two sides have yet to discuss an extension, per Carig, but the Mets could make Bruce a qualifying offer and/or pursue a reunion in free agency. The 30-year-old Bruce is hitting .265/.329/.538 with 29 homers and vastly improved defensive ratings in 2017. The New York Post’s Mike Puma, meanwhile, wrote yesterday that Bruce seems intent on exploring the free agent market but also wouldn’t rule out a return to the Mets. “I’m not in the bridge-burning business,” said Bruce before explaining that he’ll consider all opportunities and scenarios.
- Third baseman David Wright has been cleared to resume “light baseball activities” after finishing extensive rehab work with an orthopedic specialist, writes Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News. Wright has played catch and begun some light fielding drills, per Ackert, who notes that throwing was the biggest difficulty for Wright when he was shut down back in Spring Training. With the team’s 2018 outlook at third base currently murky — Ackert explores the options at greater length — Wright’s ability or inability to show progress between now and season’s end will be an important factor as the Mets determine their offseason plans.
Trade Cabrera for a bag of baseballs. Please buy out David Wright. Call up Smith for first resign Bruce keep Conforto in Center next year he is not the best out there but not the worst. Grandy will be gone after the season and Cep ain’t going no where. I love TJ Rivera he is old school hard player. Second will be open next season, need some youth in the field. Maybe add a bullpen arm. I hate Salas
Not much they can do with Wright if he wants to try and keep playing.
The most likely explanation for his continued rehab attempts is that they are a condition of his insurance policy:
amazinavenue.com/2015/5/26/8664887/mets-david-wrig…
Policy won’t pay if he retires/quits attempting to return.
dont quote aa…they are not a legitimate source…also they were the reason why the mets are so god awful thanks to the cpmunk curse
lololololl
Thats not news. Insurance policies never pay if the player voluntarily retires. It only pays if he is deemed physically and permanently unable to play baseball. He would have to be unable to meet certain specific standards, and those standards are quite low. This happened with Jeff Bagwell when he retired – and he had only 1 year, $16 mil left on his contract. In his case, he had to be unable to throw a ball 60 feet at a rate of 35 mph.
That said, I disagree with your analysis. He’s dealt with three different issues. As we saw in August/Sept of 2015, he was able to play with the back condition and be somewhat productive.
Since then, he had a herniated disk in his neck, and then a shoulder impingement. Both of those are allegedly correctable and allegedly would not affect him once he gets past them. Allegedly.
Whether thats true or not remains to be seen. But Wright won’t quit on his own until it is clearly demonstrated that he can no longer play. And that won’t be until sometime [late] next season. right now, insurance is just a secondary part of the equation.
Yeah I know I feel bad for the dude
Salas is absolute garbage! I swear I have never saw an in inning that was a 1-2-3 inning.. it’s always a walk or a hit or a run. He’s terrible. I would love them to resign Bruce. He’s a good guy and let’s be honest he’s had a hell of a year. Where would the Mets be without him this year? I mean let’s be honest, they aren’t a very good team due to multiple reasons. Injuries, bad play, underachieving, etc. Bruce has been one of the few bright spots and it seems like he’s adjusted to playing in NY.
Hey don’t worry Dipoto will give a teams top 5 prospect for Salas and give him an extension.
Straight and to the point. Lol.
They need someone who can hit the ball for power from either the second base or third base position. Rivera is fine for one of them but then the power needs to come from the other. This years free agent class is terrible, which would be the only reason I am fine with keeping Cabrera for the one year. Any other free agent class I would say to sell him for anything you can get. Flores is the interesting part. Do the Mets give him one full season at 2nd or 3rd to see if he can do it, rather than trading for a player (probably having to deal one of the pitchers for anything of value) or rather than chancing a lesser talented free agent. They may be stuck with having to give Flores a full time try. And who knows, maybe they will be surprised. What they need the most is a deep roster to protect from these health issues. While no one could have overcome the wrath of injuries they faced early on, having Cabrera and Reyes (resign) as backups (rather than starters) may be an interesting thing.
Just some thoughts on possible ideas out there.
And just a thought on catcher. While Travis is nothing of what Mets fans hoped he would be, he is actually a pretty average player. He isn’t hurting you much at least offensively. May people say they need to upgrade at catcher. You won’t be able to find anyone out there available that is going to make that much of a difference over Travis. So I say keep bringing him back until arbitration years are gone or until a minor leaguer comes up and pushes him out.
That “wrath of injuries” is as bad as The Wrath of Khan.
Not only that, but they’ve had a RASH of injuries that no amount of calamine lotion could cure.
No one’s getting rid of d’Arnaud. He is Met property for another two years and is cheap.. But he can’t stand on his own as the only catcher they have, so they need to go get someone else, anyway. . Plawecki hasn’t shown yet that he is even a major leaguer, let alone a platoon player. Even if he hits better in his next call-up, he has thrown out only 20% of the runners who try to steal this year in Vegas. . Yeah, they need another catcher. Whether that makes d’Arnaud a platoon player or a back-up or the lead man in a two-man tandem remains to be seen. But they need another catcher. And Avila might just be a good step up from Travis. .
@Frankthetank1985
Neither T.J. Rivera or Wilmer Flores are competent defensive third base options. I have my doubts about both at second as well – I don’t like what I’ve seen.
Additionally, Rivera has torn UCL and may need TJ surgery.
The only third base internal option for 2018 on current roster is Cabrera. or potentially Neil Walker. who played third in the minors and came up as third baseman.
Cabrera’ is not particularly desirable but better defensively than the aforementioned Flores and TJ.. David Wright can’t be counted on anything.. At best, bench player next season.
So Mets need to buy time in 2018 while potential internal and external options emerge for 2019 and thereafter. So chances are growing Cabrera’s 2018 option will be exercised if he finishes productive and healthy.
I agree Mets stick with Travis D”Arnaud in 2018. He’s better all around this season.
Mets bide their time waiting for AA catcher Tomas Nido already on the 40 to play in AAA and develop into future, major league in house starter. His defense is his calling card, and last season in Advanced A, led the league in hitting. So the bat is capable despite current disappointing AA offense. Got two hits in Future’s Game in July.
That he’s already on the 40 could mean a call up next month to get his feet wet. By 2018, he should be ready for injury replacement call up as needed, then eventual back up to DArnaud till the latter’s traded or leaves via free agency.
TJ surgery for TJ Rivera is a non-issue. Position players can come back in about 7 months. Tyler Saladino had it in July or August a few eyars ago and was playing is ST games on March 1st.
While I hope you’re right about Nido, its jumping the gun to say that Nido “should” be ready sometime in 2018. How long is it since Plawecki was “almost ready”, hitting .310 in AAA and allegedly a good defensive catcher. Despite what fans want to believe, most prospects take several years to go from AAA to being an adequate player – even a back-up – in the majors. We just don’t know, and you just can’t count on it.
The deadline acquisitions will hopefully help the bullpen in 2018 and moving forward.
Could see Callahan and/or Nogosek in the near future, with Smith and Bautista coming up later.
Silly to talk up Nogosek and Bautista at all. They’re in advanced-A, and just got there a month ago. too far away to expect anythig out of them – close to 80% of the player at that level never reach the majors.
Smith (pitching well in AA) is a lot closer than Nogosek, anyway. Not sure why you’d Nogosek ahead of him in your hierarchy.
Bautista is nothign more than a lottery ticket who happens to have a live arm. Walking a ton of guys in adv-A right now. Some guys outgorw their control problems. But in reality, most do not.
The deadline acquisitions will hopefully help the bullpen in 2018 and moving forward.
Key word: hopefully
Could see Callahan…
Key word: could
On Nogosek – “The 22-year-old right-hander has earned above-average grades for his fastball, slider and cutter, and those offerings combined with his advanced pedigree out of college could push him up the Mets’ chain fairly quickly.”
milb.com/milb/news/deadline-roundup-new-york-mets-…
My guess based on nothing more than reading things and not ever having seen any of these players is that, despite currently being at a lower level, Nogosek will get a shot sooner than Smith. My bad for guessing the opposite of your guess.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@staticoverdub
I agree with PandaMets. Smith and Callahan before Nogosek. Though Smith is pitching in Mets AA, he already pitched in Tampa Bay’s AAA though just one inning.
And knowing the methodical, deliberative pace of Sandy Alderson method of pitcher progression through the minors, Nogosek is unlikely to move up faster than Callahan and Smith.
Few pitchers under his watch skip any levels, or have little time served in one level before moving up. Rare exceptions include current Met Chris Flexen and former Met Akeel Morris called up from AA and Single A respectively – both struggling/struggled but served an organizational need at major league level.
I think you inferred a lot when you read, “could push him up the Mets’ chain fairly quickly” to mean that he will gain a year-and-a-half on a guy who is already showing success at AA.. He just got to advanced-A a month ago.
TJ Rivera is mediocre at best. He’s an OK bench piece, but I really don’t want him to play much more than that. I’m not sure why so many Mets fans seem to like him so much and call him an ‘old school hard player’. Flores is better than Rivera.
Still 3 LONG years remaining on Wright’s contract after 2017. Something’s gotta give – either he retires or Mets eat the last 3 years – to free up a spot on the 40 man roster that can be occupied by a productive player. Wright’s back problem is degenerative which means it’s never going to get better. The guy means a lot to the organization I know, but it’s time to move on.
Or negotiations begin with the insurer.
As Ackert explains in her column (and as has been previously reported), the Mets are recouping a great deal of Wright’s contract via insurance.
Buy out his remaining years and offer him a place on the front office. I am a Braves fan but have never had anything but respect for Wright. He should be a Met as long as he wants, even if it isn’t as a player.
Possibly but negotiate with the insurer to pay a portion. Win all the way around.
The spot on the 40-man roster is irrelevant. When a player like Wright goes on the 60-day DL, he does not count against the 40-man limit.
In the off season, the 60-day DL goes away and he does count again. But the Mets have plenty of flexibility this off season with 6 players reaching free agency and dropping off the roster at season’s end. And thats in addition to Cabrera whom they might keep or let go.
.In point of fact, the Mets have only 37 players on their 40-man roster right now. Four more on the 60-day DL. but 6 free agents leaving would put it at 35. Add Dom Smtih and its 36. Still leaves room to protect a few minor leaguers who will reach Rule 5 eligibility this year.
Plus, there are guys like Reynolds, Pill, and Milone who can be removed with little chance of someone else claiming them, and little concern if someone does.
Add like several bullpen arms, guys like Brandon Kintzler or Mike Minor seem to fit. Maybe even a trade for Kelvin Herrera since his stock is down.
The fact that they are thinking about keeping cabrera and bruce is a joke. I like Bruce and cabrera is an average player but this compromises the team defensively. I’d rather see Flores at 3rd than cabrera, same defensive value with a load more offensive upside IMO. When is this organization going to stop compromising the teams defense for the sake of some “offense”. go out get a true CF, 2B, and C, improve that up the middle defense so they can take advantage of a hopefully healthy pitching staff next year.
I am intrigued by the idea of Brandon Nimmo in CF.
He has the athleticism, and his plate discipline could provide very solid OBP.
I wouldn’t be opposed to that as he is a true CF, I think they have some players in the system that they can take a gamble on to cover either 2B or CF, Cecchini, Rivera, Nimmo, Lagares (health permitting) and even Guillorme. They don’t have the catcher depth though, I would try a buy low on Lucroy, or an Avila, and I would plug in unproven players at both CF and 2B so you would have to go outand get a player to play one of those.
Not sure where you get the idea that Nimmo is a true CF. He’s played it in the minors, but he hasn’t played it well. For several yyrs now, scouts have been saying that he’s a bench player because he cannot play CF every day, and does not have enough HR power for a corner OF.
Forget CF. He was a terrible corner OF when he first came up last year. He’s improved a lot since then. but he’s still not a true CF’, And I don’t want him playing there 130 or more games a year ( if he only plays against right-handers).. If you want to suggest that lagares can be the lead dog and Nimmo can start 50 or 60 games a year, then maybe. But either way, if you have a chance to bring back Bruce at a reasonable cost, there is no way nimmo supplants either Conforto or Bruce from the lineup.
I agree. Mets need to get a true center fielder. I like Bruce but there is just no room for him
To suggest that Fores has defensive value at 3rd is way off base. He’s a bad 3B. The only place he plays adequately is 2nd. You have no 3B for next year. and the MEts aren’t going to sing a real every day 3B as long as David Wright is lurking in the background. So they’re going to try and cobble something together again at that position. Cabrera is as reliable a player as you’re going to gt for $6.5 million.
I was saying they have the same defensive value as in zero, I could have been a little clearer. I just think all around, Flores is better than Cabrera, especially offensively, and it is also not going to kill you to have 1 below average defensive player on the field, especially at a corner.
i don’t see why you have to pick one over the other. There’s room on the team for the both of them. Neither one fo them is locked in at 3B, and both of them can play other positions.
i think flores is actually a good fielding 1b…but he doesnt have enough offensive output to justify him being there…he’s swing man
Two things: first, they have another guy they hope iwll be their 1B for years to come. Now, he may not pan out. Or he may take a year or two before he can take over every day.. But for now, he’s the plan.
Second, Flores’ offense is just fine for any position. He’s hitting .280 and hitting HRs at a pace that would give him 24 if he played every day.
two things: first, their guy in AA isn’t necessarily going to fill the void asap…when did i ever insinuate flores is a long term option? Second, assuming his sample size pace will directly translate to increased numbers is pretty idiotic…
you can leave the name-calling out of this, tough guy. The HR power Flores is demonstrating this year is similar to last. thats a span over over 550 ABs so no, its not idiotic. His batting avrage is slightly higher and he has improved agaisnt RH pitching each of the last two years. so there’s no reason to believe that he does not have the offense anymore. and there is nothing “idiotic” about my statement on the matter.
As for the other first baseman, ‘that guy’ is in AAA, not AA, and doing just about as well as one could hope at that level. They’re planning to call him up as any week now and the idea, IS for him to take over ASAP. at least is for him to take over ASAP.. Yeah, you never know with prospects when they’ll be ready. but its his job to lose.
i never said that you insinuated Flores was the long term answer. i simply meant tosay that if it coems to that, it would not be a problem.
You’re kind of annoying.
Good day sir.
Could Wright finish out his days as a DH in the AL?
maybe as a DH in the NL…
It may be cheaper for the Mets to negotiate a deal with the insurer than trade him to the AL and eat so much salary.
With Cabrera, I’d be equally concerned with his reputation as sometimes being a clubhouse malcontent as with his defensive shortcomings. He’s usually never happy in a reserve role.
dude, 3 months ago, people were raving about him…
One month ago or so, unless I am thinking of the wrong person, I remember reading an article on this site about how some Mete execs were worried that he was sulking because he was being asked to play third and not starting much.
right because he was mad no one told him he was playing 2nd, until the day of…blown out of proportion…
Can any Mets fan explain to me why Dominic Smith hasn’t been called up yet? Can’t be service time or performance at this point, so what are they waiting for?
Only thing I can think of is an anticipated waiver deal.
It’s going to happen.
They’re playing Bruce at first base a bit to show that he can play the position for a potential waiver trade.
Who is David Wright? Didn’t he used to play for the Mets a long time ago??
Good lord, eat the $2M and in the winter trade for the young Rangers 3rd baseman, Joey Gallo. Even though he is barely over the Mendoza line with his .203 BA, love his 28 home run monster shots, 52 RBI and .859 OPS in 97 games.
David Wright should do what’s right for the team and leave. He’s hogging up all sorts of money for not playing. That’s poor sportsmanship for sure.
Or at least reconstruct his contract. Wright has made $40MM in the past two years while only playing 25% of the time (75 games total). Sad!