Jan. 18: Gonzalez has passed his physical, and the Mets have formally announced his signing via press release.
Jan. 13: The Mets have agreed to sign first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, pending a physical. Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported the news via Twitter. Nightengale reported earlier tonight that discussions between the two sides were serious, with Jon Heyman of FanRag confirming shortly thereafter.
As we noted earlier in the evening, Gonzalez was recently traded from the Dodgers to the Braves in a deal heavily driven by luxury tax considerations. By sending the 35-year-old first baseman to Atlanta (along with Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and Charlie Culberson) in exchange for former Dodger Matt Kemp, Los Angeles will be able to stay under the tax cap for 2018. The Braves granted him his release the following Monday, leaving Gonzalez free to sign with any team willing to pay him the MLB minimum salary. Atlanta, of course, is still on the hook for just under $17MM of his guaranteed 2018 salary.
Presumably, Gonzalez will compete with 22-year-old Dominic Smith for the Mets’ first base job in spring training. GM Sandy Alderson has gone on record saying that the Mets wouldn’t make any moves that eliminate Smith as a possibility at first base, but the presence of a five-time All Star with a chance to bounce back to above-average offensive production leaves the Mets some room to give their first baseman of the future some more seasoning at the Triple-A level. That’s now a much more viable contingency plan if Smith struggles to produce offensively the way he did last season. Indeed, as Heyman notes, there are questions about whether Smith is ready for the majors and in good enough shape to reach his potential.
The deal clearly carries very little risk for the Mets, as they’re only obligated to pay Gonzalez the $545K MLB minimum salary in 2018. And yet the upside of this signing should not be taken lightly. As recently as 2015, the former number one overall pick slashed .275/.350/.480 with 28 homers, good for a 129 wRC+ and 3.0 fWAR. His performance has declined in recent seasons, possibly due to age and absolutely due to injuries, but if he can stay healthy, there’s a chance Gonzalez could bounce back from a -1.1 fWAR 2017 campaign and reward the Mets for bringing him into the fold. As we already noted today, he also carries a lifetime 138 wRC+ against right-handed pitching, making him a potentially great asset even in a part-time role.
The Florida Marlins selected Gonzalez out of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA with the number one overall pick in the 2000 draft. His MLB debut came with the Rangers on April 18th, 2004, but he didn’t truly catch fire until then-Padres-GM Kevin Towers acquired him (along with Chris Young and Terrmel Sledge) for the 2006 season. Gonzalez went on to post ten consecutive seasons of at least 2.9 fWAR between the Padres, Red Sox and Dodgers (38.3 fWAR total from 206-2015), homering 283 times during that span. All told, his .288/.359/.488 lifetime batting line paints a picture of a very impressive career.
Photo Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Surprised an NL team signed him. Be lucky to get 81 games out of him.
He will be a bench player anyway
They can’t really do any better right now. Their projected 1B hit .198/.262/.395 last year.
Yes, in all 49 games of his rookie season.
Looks like he’s already going to be better than Baez based on his first 50 games….. .169/.227/.324
He could have played, Dodgers told him to stay home “hurt”. I live in vegas and have seen the 1B prospect, he reminds me of Pablo (SF 3b), talent but not willing to put in. The work and drop some LBS
You stay in Vegas too? Nooice
He had a back problem the last couple of seasons. No one asked him to stay home “hurt”. He was hurt.
He played in 156 games in 2016 so it seems the back issues were just last year. He was also pretty good in 2016.
He also had hit only 18 homers in 2016 (after 28 in 2015, 27 in 2014, and 22 in 2013) which, as I recall, was blamed on his back giving him trouble.
That makes some sense but it wasn’t enough to keep him off the field. Perhaps a part-time role, with treatment on off-days, would allow him to be productive. From 2006-2016 he never played in fewer than 156 games in a season.
He turned to a wimp once the Red Sox fans started to rip into him. It’s a perfect Mets signing. I can hear Mutt and Jeff gleeful with the news screaming, “Another move to make believe to the fans that we are trying to field a competitive team. And best of all this washed up player is SO CHEAP.”
You have 11 posts here in this thread alone taking digs at the Mets using childish name calling. How sad is your life?
You must be new here, his life is very sad. And repetitive.
I didn’t know Red Sox fans injured his shoulder
Since you are waitin, how long will it be for you team to contend again.
It’s sad for NYC to have such a sorry NL team.
Life is great…especially as we round towards spring training for many team’s fans, present company exclude. Move through your anger with the coupons in a few seminars this weekend.
How so. He’ll be the everyday 1st baseman. They haven’t had a really good one since Keith Hernandez. Gonzalez isn’t half the players Hernandez is.
No
Haven’t had a good one since Keith Hernandez? Are you crazy? Olerud was pretty darn good. Carlos Delgado comes to mind.
Mo Vaughn
Delgado was good but he either homered or K’ d. Olerud i was gonna name but he’s a Marnier in my book.
He may a Mariner in your book but he was a Met when he played here so your claim is wrong.
He played for the Mets and Mariners, but if anything, he’s a Blue Jay.
Rickey Henderson’ will agree with you
fangraphs.com/not/the-hendersonolerud-story-three-…
Haters gonna hate.. I think it’s a “funny” signing too but hey, it’s still A-Gon.. reminds me of the Lance Berkman signing in STL and he got a ring. Never know. I’m not a huge fan of A-Gon but I know what he is capable of. He’s not going to match Big Puma in the club house but maybe a new and fresh start might get him going. For the record – I can’t stand A-Gon but he is capable of having a good year.
Berkman never skipped the playoffs so that he could go on vacation. So it really isn’t kind of like that.
Touché.
Gonzalez missed one game and he was injured
St. Louis fans are the best fans ever. So smart and witty. Just ask them.
That’s for the record, btw. Write it down and quote me.
Thank you!
Hey Red, Gonzo’s productive days are Gonzo. If you watch some old video you will see a productive hitter who was truly feared. The past three years he has produced marginal results.
Come on, be honest… You’re really Mike Francesca right?
Lol
Such a deep thought Amazin. Just typical of easy insult.
Guess the Coupons saved some
Bucks on a news conference by doing a news release rather than a press conference. So they didn’t have to send TC out to Costco for the party supplies?
I don’t think A-Gon will have to worry about getting a ring with the Mets!
Guess the Braves will get to see what they’re paying for plenty of times.
The Braves would be very happy if the Mets put this washed up empty uniform on the field against them.
I doubt it since they’ll be paying him around $17 Million to do so…
Gladly, it’s not Matt Kemp and it’s over after 2018, so it is all good. Best of a bad situation. Seeing Alex Wood dominate is the knife that continues to twist.
Take it easy guys, would you rather have season vet as insurance police for league minimum? Or roll the dice w Smith betting on him guaranteed to succeed ?
Gary—this is mets amusement in its purest form. Either it’s a blatant admission that Smith was overrated with bloated Vegas style statistics or incompetency in management not giving the kid some time to develop.
Instead they will yank his chain and destroy his self confidence. There’s no consistency when your team puts you on a roller coaster.
I love this signing! …five years ago.
10 years ago
5 years ago? 10 years ago? Do you guys even watch baseball? He was injured last year but just two years ago he was still a pretty damn good hitter and defender.
Come on man. He will be 36 soon and his defense isn’t even average anymore. If you expect more than 80 games and 300 AB’s you’re crazy
Who said anything about any expectations. Its a league minimum pick up. Chill out!
Hey Thronson, you must have been watching old reruns. He is 5-6 years removed from a barely ok season. I know it hurts as a Mets fan for reality to sink in buddy.
You know you can click on the guys name above and see his stats right?
Every single time I see a negative Mets post it’s your name on it. Who hurt you?
I think the Mets would be thrilled if they got 80 games out of Gonzalez. Meanwhile, if Dominic Smith can keep his weight in check he’ll have one heck of a mentor in A-Gon. If, and everyone knows it’s an if, Gonzalez stays healthy as well he’s a pretty good bat to have from the bench. Mets pay him less than $600K, how is there a downside?
If they get 80 games and 300abs, he’ll probably be worth every penny the minimum salary the Mets will pay him. Added incentive that the Braves will be paying him even more to play for the Mets.
Easy guys , will you rather have a seasoned vet as an insurance policy for the league minimum or roll the dice w Smith counting on him guaranteed to break out? It can’t hurt to have a bench bat with proven track record and a mentor.
Easy guys, would you rather have a seasoned vet as an insurance policy for league minimum or roll the dice with Smith counting on him guaranteed to break out?
multiple personalities much?
His track record is VERY old. The problem is that Smith is overrated and Mets management historically is impatient at watching players develop. So they will yank the kids chain and then the old man will be brought down until his back gives out in 10-20 games
I’m afraid you are right. back problems don’t really go away. A-Gon is on the downside, pretty far downside too. His power is Gonzo. No risk signing for the Mets really. what’s not to like? maybe it will motivate the young kid to up his game.
Very likely scenario. Gonzalez won’t generate much, if any, power, but if he can maintain a BA around .300 this signing will be worthwhile.
Doesn’t make much sense? Just signed Bruce to fill in at first base. We need 3rd base and catcher.
makes sense to sign a vet at minimum who was 1B and 4 hitter on best team in NL. Agree they need a catcher!!! Please sign Lucroy
makes sense for the mets with Dom. and he’s 35 so he’s not ancient or anything. he could bounce back
The Mets are not big fans of Smith. That is the reason for the signing.
I’m not really either, the times i’ve seen him against the bravos
No they are fans, its just that Dominic needs some more maturing and better work ethic. He weighed over 260 lbs the end of 2016. Worked out in the offseason and lost 24 lbs only to gain it all back during season. He can be stud but he needs to work and focus on his eating habits. Some time in AAA this season will benefit him.
Maybe the Mets can bring back Bartolo Colon as a spot-starter / nutritional consultant for Smith.
No they are fans, its just that Dominic needs some more maturing and better work ethic. He weighed over 260 lbs the end of 2016. Worked out in the offseason and 24 lbs only to gain it all back during season. He can be stud but he needs to work and focus on his eating habits. Some time in AAA this season will benefit him.
He has already voiced his unhappiness. “They are going to kick me around to AAA and back like a ping pong ball just like they did to Conforto. At least he got lots of miles with the trips back and forth to Vegas. And he was able to show stats playing in the dugout. I’m planning a long DL stint like a lot of the guys last year”.
Sure and the Mets could finish with 81 wins. Don’t be in either
Wow what a get
No lose signing…paying veterans minimum for him…why not roll the dice
Exactly. If he doesn’t do well in spring training and Dom Smith does great, then cut him. If he does well, then good pickup for 600K or whatever minimum is.
Yea I think agon isn’t the best fit for the Mets. They have smith and then Bruce could be the backup when smith needs a day off. But Adrian Gonzalez is being very underrated. He’s still talented. If he never got hurt last season bellinger would’ve never played and he would’ve had another good season like in 2016 which was just the year before. But now he’s looked at as just a clubhouse guy, but really he should be a starting 1B or DH in the mlb for probably another year to 2.
he has no business on the baseball field at this point. He’s going to be like what Bobby Abreu was for the mets a few seasons ago.
Are you sure your not talking about David Wright dude is hurt and still collecting a check
Never mind insurance for Smith. This should more importantly block a reunion with Duda
Love the signing!! especially at league minimum. I’m hoping they spend on a starter or on Lucroy, go with Flores at 2B and resign Reyes. Darnaud has not shown any promise as a pro.
good move, split time with Flores,sign Frazier to play third and have Cabrera play second. hated to see Reed go to the Twins.
I say sign Frazier, and trade for either Kipnis, Castro, or Harrison.
Hey Perk… Mutt and Jeff are done putting more money into the team. Dreams crushed. Sorry to hear the news
Giant douche sandwich ^^^^^^
Great signing! wait, is still 2009? nevermind then…
This might mean Dom Smith is being traded…
No it doesn’t mean that at all. Pure depth signing incase Smith doesn’t turn the corner. It’s a nice signing, I like what the Mets have done this offseason. If Calloway can go in there and get that pitching staff back to 15′ form then this team could return to the playoffs immediately.
From the bleachers it’s tough to see reality.
I feel like he will be to the Pirates in a package for McCutchen, Harrison, or even both.
Lay off the cough syrup buddy Pirates have Josh Bell
because he’s aging, often injured, and way past his prime. Actually……sounds like a typical met already. He will fit right in
Often injured? You may want to look at his record before 2017.. from 2004, when he became established, until 2016 he played in at least 156 games every year, including 2016 when he slashed 285/349/435. Those aren’t great numbers for a full-time first baseman but for a part-timer it might be palatable at the league minimum.
2006 until 2016 is what I meant to write.
More than might be, it is totally palatable. Those of us who know the player were certain he’d hook up with another team. The only reason the Dodgers didn’t hang onto him is Bellinger. We also know that before last year, Gonzales was the textbook description of an iron man. Funny how the very first trip to the DL in his entire career turns him into a “often injured” player. Mostly a time zone issue, probably..
Lots of smog in the sky buddy. He’s 3-4 years removed from good production. The dodgers would have figured a way to keep him for insurance if he still had the tools.
Just looking at the stats shows you are speaking utter nonsense.
He doesn’t care. Stupid is as stupid does. And he is def the epitome of stupidity.
Might also be why the Mets we’re discussing a Duda reunion. It’s clear the Mets will have to use Rosario or Smith as headliners in any significant trade and signing Gonzalez may allow the Mets to get their 2nd baseman/other needs.
Even if he hasn’t completely recovered from his back problems he’ll still be more productive than anyone else you can get for league minimum. Pablo Sandoval will also be available once SF comes to their senses and DFA him, but he’s not actually even worth League minimum, so take a pass on Panda.
lots of players not listed in red. what’s up?
The Mets will look like total genius if agon has a decent season and can get 300 bats out of him with smith getting the other games
The coupons really spending big.
they are spoiling the mets fans! they won the offseason
Damn those coupons … lol … yes I know you got autocorrected but still funny
I’m not so sure it was autocorrect, I think it’s brilliant.
If he gets 300AB he will also play short stop and catcher. Typical Mets fans musings
Keep him in Florida with Tebow untill the weather heats up,,he didn’t like the cold weather in Boston.
I’m a Die Hard Braves fan … as such I’d still get AGone plays 120 games or so hitting .280 with 20 HR … for the minimum the Mets could get a steal here
Get = bet
It will be fun for a moment to see him wearing Orange and Blue.
If AGone returns to just half of his prime the Mets get a giant steal and the Braves get ripped off … though they did unload Kemp and get McCarthy … maybe it works out for all involved
Well, it’s not like the Braves were going to keep him anyway, since he asked to be DFA’d and released as the condition for waiving his no-trade clause.
Mets are a joke. Mets need new ownership.
Yes they are cheap but they acquired Jay Bruce and Adrian Gonzalez for reasonable salaries
This is a fair comment. I’m no fan of the Mets ownership, but fairly speaking these two deals were good. Jay Bruce is a very strong RF and AGon has plenty of upside in a part-time role. This won’t make the Mets a contender, but the deals made them better.
Huge signing! Now that he’s healthy he’s a .300 20 80 for sure
What exactly are you drinking?
Can’t complain with this signing….
Either he bounces back and puts up a
.280 20hr 80rbi season or he continues to show declining skills. Considering its for the veterans minimum there is no true risk here whatsoever….
All in all….not a bad move at all
It meets the coupons sole qualification: he’s on a cheap contract.
I’m not a fan of his age either, or necessarily the idea that he can produce – as he may struggle and Smith may get the job anyway; However, Last season he had a little over 200 at bats… Ppl say he’s finished.. 200 at bats isn’t enough for a monkey to produce. Now, just 2 yrs ago, in 2016, he had close to 600 at bats. Drove in 90 runs, had 162 hits and hit .285. I’m kind of bullish on players who actually get the at bats or the innings pitched. Yea, he’s 35. At 35 he’s learned alot more about the game than Smith has. Experience over talent, in theory. I look at a guy like Ben Revere when I think of the at bats…In Minnesota and Philly, when he was getting 500-600 at bats, he had 200 hits, store 50 bases, hit .300 ; Last few seasons though, he’s getting like 200-300 at bats and hitting squat. Sometimes these guys need to get a rhythm, get the game time in to get those mechanics worked out. 35 just means he’s acquired alot of knowledge on strike zone, pitch counts, the mental game – Granted physically he’s starting to fall apart and ppl want the younger option, but he can help that young team. Same thing with Chase Utley. Honestly, I would have signed Utley instead of all the trade speculation on Kipnis, Harrison..etc.. I bet ya Gonzolez hits 20 homers and has around 70 RBIs and hits at least 260 while Smith lays off the Twinkies and actually learns how to hit – something he can learn from Adrian G. Who has 2,010 career hits, a lifetime .359 on base percentage and is a career .288 hitter, who hit .275 or higher 11 of his 14 years played, in 1,875 career games. Good move for Alderson (whom I…actually think sucks as a GM, just saying).
Mets fans would riot if they signed Utley.
If im Alderson….i would:
Trade Lagares, Gsellman and 2 prospects for McCutchen..
Sign Todd Frazier 2yr/$20mil
That leaves the lineup like this
1) Cabrera 2b
2) Conforto rf
3) Cespedes lf
4) Bruce 1b
5) McCutchen cf
6) Frazier 3b
7) d’Arnaud c
8) Rosario ss
1) Syndergaard
2) deGrom
3) Harvey
4) Matz
5) Wheeler
1) Familia
2) Ramos
3) Blevins
4) Swarzak
5) Sewald
6) Robles
7) Lugo
Bench
1) Nimmo of
2) Plawecki c
3) Flores 3b/1b
4) Reyes ss/2b/ss
5) Gonzalez 1b
With health…a certain playoff contender
reyes is a free agent…….
Who i believe the Mets will resign….if not..TJ Rivera takes that bench spot
i would tweak your lineup some as by flipping conforto and cabrera because i think cabrera makes a better number 2 than leadoff and conforto did ok out of the leadoff. but i might even move frazier up to 2 and cabrera down 6 or 7..as frazier better avg if i remember right for the boppers comingup. Just my thought on the lineup atleast
i dont know about contender but would be solid team assuming healthy, but with our rotation you almost have to assume 2 are going down at some point to injury or just being plain bad (im thinking it will be between harvey, wheeler, and matz) and right now who you go to outside of lugo if you trade gsellman? im not sayin gsellman is all that great but he can handle new york and is ok for back of rotation.
i like having reyes back for clubhouse presence as i am not a fan of reynolds even as bench guy. I would rather have gotten back rivera before he signed elsewhere or maybe get lucroy on the cheap. as i have no trust in darnaud or plawecki. He can also mentor either those 2 or nido which is our next closest prospect i believe.
Don’t forget to pencil in Wright on the DL
mets aren’t going to pick up mccutchen.
now maybe Harrison.
ideally I would love Lucroy.
but keep in mind Flores could legitimately shine at 2b, as could Rivera and cechini (I believe I spelled that right).
Gonzalez is definitely a safe signing.
and I would definitely seek Frazier if we can’t get Harrison. Harrison can play several areas, but if we can’t snag him… then get Frazier and use the three named players accordingly at 2b.
kipnis i can take or leave. and Reyes… time to stop living in the past and move on from him. He brings nothing to the table anymore.
I don’t see putting Jay Bruce at 1st base regularly as any bit of a good idea. He was ok there while the Mets were a near last place team trying to maximize offense.
I think this is one of many reasons Gonzalez was signed. Secondly, Gonzalez signed in the NL with all 30 teams in baseball interested in him being a bench bat (the Braves included) and yet he signs with the Mets.
Do you see why? It is likely because he’s been promised the lion share of starts there…
We already have 3 capable starters in the outfield. The one thing that we could do is move Bruce who only plays 12 games at first to first and block Dom Smiths development plus we had to give up too much just to get a rental
I agree we have enough outfielders…and this trade is the best way to optimize the offense as long as Frazier is also signed…i get it might seem alot for a rental… But who is to say he doesn’t re-sign..(unlikely)
But Cutch can also be trade bait at the deadline for prospects..or a supplemental draft pick after he rejects the QO after the season….both scenarios are better than what any of the traded pieces in my proposed deal can bring back. I know it wont happen…but i feel this is the best team the mets could yield in 2018
Who are you going to beat in the playoffs with that line-up.=?
Good for the Mets, now they really need Lacroy. If they don’t get him, well then the Mets are the Jets, I mean Mets.
I hope it’s a minor league deal.
For $1mm, the Mets get a veteran to work with Smith in spring training. If Smith doesn’t win the job in March, A-Gon can platoon with Flores in April while we wait for Conforto to be ready.
Hopefully the Mets will cut him and eat the $$ if needed.
Not even 1mil it’s only 546K so that’s even better for them.
It’s a prorated deal. The Mets were going to spend the money either way since it’s league minimum for a roster spot.
Mets…… shopping at the thrift store, with no plan or idea of how to build a team. This could be the slowest team in Mlb history
A-Gon hasn’t been the same since he got off the juice.
Hmmm….he’s played his entire career in the testing era and never tested positive for anything. I get so tired of this lazy comment about any player who experiences a normal injury and aging curve. Gonzalez was very good, then he got old and broken, like pro athletes all eventually do. He could still have a little something left, at least enough to be a part-time first baseman/pinch hitter/DH in AL parks.
Most non-David Ortiz, Manny Ramiriez, Nelson Cruz, Adrian Beltre, Barry Bonds type athletes stop being elite past 35.
LOL, the Wilpons approve a move that costs then next to nothing; this is yet even more proof of where their priorities lie. “Why are all our players injured?” Because we consistently bring in over the hill players because-you guessed it-it was COST EFFECTIVE for a top cheapest ownership group in MLB
I usually love a chance to bash the Coupons but for the few aged veterans they have signed for the most part have staved off the injury bug exception being Cespedes but not sure if he is considered “over the hill.”. Dickey, Colon, Reyes,Loney, Rivera, and Granderson are the only “over the hill” by age i can think of.. I didnt include trades such as Niese or Bruce but dont think they were hit to hard by injury bug.
What you have to worry about is keeping the youngins from getting hurt. Everyone of our starters with the exception of maybe degrom spent significant time on the DL. Hopefully a new trainer and wilpons letting the medical staff do what they need to get these guys healthy will happen.
The Poor’lads who own the Twins beg to differ… although I feel your pain Mets fans.
Yes, Agon is 35 and has struggled to stay on the field the last few seasons. However, the Mets essentially get to roll the dice that he he’s healed up and can contribute with house money. As a Dodgers fan who attends many games and loiters around Camelback during spring training I can tell you he’ll be the nicest guy on the team. Friendly with the fans, great in the clubhouse, a tremendous leader with some potential to return to 2016 form. A no win situation if you ask me.
Last few seasons? Really? Last year was his first trip to the DL in his entire career.
Right, injuries aren’t his problem, bat speed is, and 35 year olds do not gain bat speed unless their last name is Bonds.
It isn’t clear yet whether his back injury is a chronic condition. The elbow probably isn’t. Either way, he is likely in the decline phase of his career just on account of his age, but he comes off a very high level, so in the right situation, he’s still probably going to be useful. I don’t see why you are so down on Gonzales. I wish him well in NY and know when the Mets come to Dodger Stadium this year he’ll get a cheer from the hometown crowd.
Sorry, meant no lose situation.
7 out of 9 seasons getting MVP votes followed by one year being injured and a lot of people throwing Adrian under the bus. He’s an insanely talented player and this seems like an awesome signing.
The Mets are only spending $500.000, something like that. So they can make this singling cause we all know as Mets fans our team is cheap. But overall this is not a bad signing he will at least help Dom smith out and also give a little power for his bat. Now they need to figure out something forb2nd base, Kipnis or Frazier at least one of them would be nice. Then comes July n hopefully Mikey can bring Harvey back around to the pitcher he once was n then ship him out of here because he will def be leaving at the end of season. They really need to STOP playing around and SIGN DeGrom n NOAH to long term deals. Those 2 are the def ones they need to sign, and as for wheeler n matz maybe bullpen for 1 of them n trade the other. It would of been nice to see those 5 together pitching healthy but once again it was a pipe dream, Let’s Go METS 2018!!!!!
How many games are you going to?
How much $$$$ are you lining the Wilpon’s pockets with?
The Mets are officially the Donald Trump of the comments section. They are bashed no matter what they do.
This signing is a no brainer for the Mets.
Interesting analogy. It works only because each party absolutely deserves every criticism it gets, and much much more…..
Wah
“Uh oh, someone bashed my dear leader/ my favorite team!”
Obviously you cant truely be anything other than a die hard partisan fan if you aren’t giving constructive criticism.
Nothing wrong with this signing, as such. If another team made this signing (with a young 1B that might not be ready) it would be clear that it was a flyer/insurance, not a major part of their off season retooling. But the Mets have a special history of cheapness and bargain obsession, along with strategic attempts to disguise them. Met fans know what this signing by the Mets means for the Mets and the rest of their off season. No more real FA signings. The other needs (all more pressing than another corner OF, like Bruce) will be filled (if at all) by Sandy and Co. sifting through the scrap heap for bargains. You’ll hear real names, but we won’t get them.
League minimum signing.. If he sucks you cut him and the Braves pay the tab. A lot of people on here just like to complain.
MLB minors are putting out some doughboys lately: The Mets should trade Dominic Smith while the hype is positive. Smith is not the caliber player to build a lasting offense around.
I don’t understand the Mets’ front office vision..
Glad to see him signed. Good luck Agon!
Another player’s Dodger jersey is about to be hung in the Coupon Museum!
This is a good signing no matter how you slice it. You are getting a veteran player at league minimum whom the last 5 years have clubbed 98 HR’s, 426 RBI’S he is protection in the lineup that you will slide in with Jay Bruce.. I think this is a really good signing for the Mets as the offense will resemble a more respectable offense. Whom do you think a pitcher rather face Smith or Gonzalez? Do keep in mind he has averaged 154 games prior to the injury last year. This will enable the Mets to try and sign Frazier or possibly trade for Castro to add to the offense. So realistically at league minimum this is a great signing if he is over his back issues and if not he is good veteran to keep in the bench ala Granderson.
He will be DFA’d before May, he’s not a MLB player anymore but sure, keep trotting him out there playing worse than any 20-something at AAA could do.
OH BOY! I cant WAIT to see him OPS .550 for a month before getting DFA’d while he steals playing time away from Dom Smith, who deserves to play every single inning of 2018 for the Mets!!! This isn’t a total waste of time at all!!!
Another poster said it yesterday about DiPoto, but damn they were spot on: many of us really could run a team better than the current batch of bungling morons we have running 2/3rds of the league’s teams.
If you were the Mets, you would *want* Dominic Smith to spend some time in the minors (all of April and May). That will extend the club control for an additional year.
Sending a 22 year old to AAA after he struggled last year wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Mets or Smith
A-Gon could’ve made for a great DH. He really should’ve looked to avoid the field. I’m not sure if the Twins / Athletics / Rangers / Rays had any interest but they could’ve at least asked.
Sign released 35 year old for league minimum for 1 year. Free agency, Wilpon style.
Something is really broken when this guy gets signed while Hosmer and Martinez are still waiting….
Pretty big difference between 1 year, league minimum and committing 7-8 years at $160 mill.
Goodnight sweet prince.
Glad to see he will never get a WS ring. Guy was a clubhouse cancer.
How he was a cancer i never heard anything bad from him in LA the only bad thing from him was his family vacation at sametime the ws
I never heard anything bad about A-Gon off the field.
Taking off for vacation during the one time you may get a WS ring?! Joke of a player. Like I said glad he didn’t get that ring. Plus he refused to stay at hotels owned by Trump during the election because you know, Trump is a racist.
Agon at the Mets privileges the team and gives the player a real chance to succeed.
Smith gets more seasoning, while the team spends league minimum of 545 thousand.
Only the diseased mind thinks Agon was or is a cancer in the clubhouse: diseased thinking.
So many people with crystal balls today in regard to this signing, all ‘knowing’ what Adrian Gonzalez is going to do in 2018, how many AB’s he’ll have, and whether he’s going to hit above $2.00. Will all those that ‘know’ the details of Adrian Gonzalez future performance give us all the lottery numbers, and tell us all how the stock market is going to perform in 2018. It is farcical indeed.
Best case for the Mets is Smith needs a bit more time so Adrian starts does well and they trade him for some useful pieces and call smith up when he’s ready
Gonzales will do just fine in NY – 125 games, 20 HR, 80 RBI, 0 errors and a mentor to younger players – obviously a Dodger fan here – was sorry to see him go but too expensive once Bellinger showed his worth
Hey OC—good respect for past performance, though the chances of him achieving your predicted stats are as good as driving on the 405 from LAX down to the OC without being in traffic.
Another Comeback Player of the Year contestant.
We’ll miss El Titan in LA. He carried the offense for a long time and was a beloved part of the team and mentor to the younger players. But when he declined to be in the locker room during the World Series, we lost our faith in him. I hope the Mets enjoy his increasingly bad back, don’t expect him to play more than 50 games, and expect his hissy-fit if his deteriorating body keeps him off a playoff roster. El Pequeno may be a better nickname these days. Adios, little one.
You are taking the air out of the Mets fans’ hot air balloon, Guck. They were all beating their fists into their chests and counting on offensive stats and defensive prowess going back to his days with the Pods and Sox.
Reality is setting in at some point that this guy is not built for either performance or endurance in a long season. So this cheap date signing has a high cost and Dominic will be a short lived player of the future.