The Mets have reached an agreement to sign free-agent outfielder Austin Jackson, reports Fancred’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). Jackson, who is represented by Octagon, was released by the Rangers last week. MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo tweets that Jackson is signing a Major League deal.
Jackson will give New York another outfield option in the wake of Yoenis Cespedes’ season-ending surgery. Because the Rangers are paying his salary after acquiring him from the Giants, though, the Mets only owe Jackson the pro-rated league minimum for any time spent on the MLB roster. Jackson is earning $3MM in both 2018 and 2019, and whatever the Mets pay him this season will be subtracted from the sum the Rangers are paying.
While Jackson has had a dreadful season at the plate, hitting just .242/.309/.295 through 165 PAs, he’s only a season removed from raking at a .318/.387/.482 pace with the 2017 Indians. Jackson also still drew positive grades for his baserunning with the Giants, though he drew poor defensive ratings from Defensive Runs Saved (-10), Ultimate Zone Rating (-7.5) and Outs Above Average (-3) through just under 300 innings in center field this season. That said, Jackson’s defense would likely rate better in a corner slot.
As a bench option who can play center in a pinch and fill in against left-handed pitchers — for all his struggles, he did hit .288 against lefties and post a .360 OBP this season — Jackson could still provide some value to the Mets, especially when considering the minimal price tag. For the time being, he could share time in center field with Matt den Dekker, though it’s also possible that the addition of Jackson will come at den Dekker’s expense.
He’ll be on the DL by the end of the weekend
Get something new.
I’ll put you on the DL by the end of the day
Rough crowd sometimes at MLBTR
Hopefully he plays golf!
Cespedes still needs a partner
Season savior
Good for Mets!!
Of course the Mets sign him. Not the worst idea though as he can be a valuable backup. As long as he isn’t starting and taking ABs from younger talent.
Do the Mets have any younger talent to play? Their farm is trash.
Did you miss the part about taking AB’s from younger talent? He didn’t say anything about the farm. Nimmo and Conforto need all the AB’s that they can get.
They have 4 prospects ranked in the top 100 for MLB.com’s rankings. https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/mets/2018/07/27/ny-mets-now-have-four-prospects-top-100-list/847083002/
They also have some older talent (TJ Rivera, McNeil, etc) who are still under team control for a long time. They still have a long way to go with their farm, but it is far from trash.
Off the scrap heap and onto the Mets
Makes perfect sense
See: Reyes, Jose or Gonzalez, Adrian or Bautista, Jose or Vargas, Jason
Vargas wasn’t exactly off the scrap heap. He just turned out awful this year. And have you seen Jose this year? He’s taking and a contender is definitely going to trade for him.
Right, Bautista has been much better than expected. But if they can’t get anything decent for him, I’m not sure why they’d trade someone making league minimum.
Vargas did it with smoke and mirrors last year .. technically wasn’t off the scrap heap though.. idid second half was terrible .. shows how meaningless Wins are these days for a P
Vargas had a solid 2017 and the Mets signed him to a minimum of 2/$16M.
Hey Joey Bats has 8 home runs this season. He’s leading the MLB in best offensive performance for an over the hill player who should have retired.
“Should have retired”
Why would a player who can still swing a good bat retire?
Gosh… can we PLEASE end this miserable Mets season already
They are in the running for a top 3 pick…which I’m sure they’ll find a way to screw up too. /bitter mets fan
I don’t know the kid they just drafted #6 overall is already on MLB.com Top 100 prospects list
“pro-rated league minimum” – music to the Coupons ears
Hey Peter-it’s really in the hands of Mets fans.
Either continue to bend over and take it
Or
BOYCOTT the Mets
Do NOT buy anymore tickets
Click AWAY from SNY
Post on social media that it’s time for Abbott and Costello, aka Mutt and Jeff, previously known as the Coupons to sell.
Embarrass them and take dollars out of their pocket.
his obp was higher that his slugging?
League minimum is a key portion of the Mets business model. If it turns out he can actually contribute, there’s no harm, but Mets haven’t received much in the way of production from their “clearance sale” pickups.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. But to the Mets, all trash is treasure.
Abbott and Costello’s business model is to mirror the dump that surrounds Chitifield.
To be fair…all LOW COST trash is treasure. The Mets lead the world in signing over the hill guys who only cost league minimum.
Wow the Mets really will sign just about anyone
Blockbuster.
Mets love shopping at the Dollar Tree.
Now the Mets will make it to the World Series! Love a career fifth outfielder.
I’m just glad it wasn’t CLE who signed him.
Perfect Mets signing. Over 30 and someone else is paying his salary.
Mets have applied to MLB to discontinue baseball activities and start playing in a shuffleboard league at the Rest more Hone for the Elderly.