Dec. 17, 9:28pm: The deal includes a $2MM signing bonus, meaning Ramos’ 2019 salary will technically be $6.25MM, per Heyman (Twitter link).
3:45pm: The Mets announced that Ramos will be introduced at a press conference Monday at 11 a.m. ET. Rosenthal tweets that in addition to the salary parameters reported by Wagner below, Ramos will earn an additional $500K if he’s able to make 100 starts at catcher in a given season.
Dec. 16, 4:44pm: It is indeed $19MM guaranteed, tweets the New York Times’ James Wagner, who adds that Ramos will earn $8.25MM next season and $9.25MM in 2020. The contract also includes either a $10MM club option or a $1.5MM buyout for 2021. The max value is $27.5MM.
3:45pm: The Mets have reached an agreement with free-agent catcher Wilson Ramos, pending a physical, according to Andy Martino of SNY. Daniel Alvarez Montes of ElExtrabase previously reported the two sides had agreed to a contract. It’s a two-year pact for the Octagon client, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweets. The deal is worth $19MM, per Jon Heyman of Fancred, though Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports Ramos will receive a $19.5MM guarantee and an option for 2021. Post colleague Ken Davidoff adds that Ramos could make up to $26MM.
The Mets’ addition of Ramos takes them out of the running for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, whom they had been aggressively pursuing this week, as Martino notes. They’re the second team to reportedly drop out of the Realmuto sweepstakes in the past couple days, joining the NL East rival Braves.
For the Mets, losing out on Realmuto means they’ll get to keep major league assets such as Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto and Amed Rosario, all of whom had piqued the Marlins’ interest in talks. At the same time, they won’t end up with arguably the majors’ best catcher. Still, while the 31-year-old Ramos’ isn’t the prize Realmuto would have been for New York, he should provide the team with a quality starter behind the plate.
Ramos, set to join his third NL East team (he was previously with Washington and Philadelphia), has batted .273/.317/.439 (103 wRC+) across 2,944 major league plate appearances, making him an easily above-average offensive catcher. Defensively, Ramos has caught a lifetime 32 percent of would-be base stealers, beating out the 28 percent league average, and earned positive marks behind the plate from Baseball Prospectus for the majority of his MLB career.
In 2018 – which he divided between the Rays and Phillies – Ramos enjoyed arguably his best offensive season, slashing .306/.358/.487 (130 wRC+) with 15 home runs in 416 PAs. Ramos also caught 29 percent of would-be base thieves and received decent overall grades from BP. It was clearly a strong rebound campaign for Ramos, who only appeared in 64 games in 2017 with the Rays as he worked his way back from the torn right ACL he suffered as a member of the Nats late in 2016.
Ramos has torn his right ACL twice in his major league career, which is especially troubling for an aging backstop. But he still doesn’t come with the injury concerns of fellow Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who missed all but four games last year as a result of a partial UCL tear, has only appeared in upward of 100 games twice in his career and, when healthy, hasn’t lived up to the hype he had as a prospect. D’Arnaud now figures to back up Ramos, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, calling into question what the Mets will do with fellow catchers Kevin Plawecki and Tomas Nido. Speculatively, the out-of-options Plawecki – a former top-100 prospect – could be a trade candidate.
Entering the offseason, MLBTR forecast a three-year, $36MM guarantee for Ramos, who will fall short of that with his new club. His departure from the open market easily leaves Yasmani Grandal as the premier catcher available in free agency. The Mets also had interest in Grandal, but as a qualifying offer recipient, signing him would have forced them to surrender their second-highest draft pick in 2019, $500K in international bonus space and a significant amount of their major league payroll room. Ramos only cost money, on the other hand, but his signing still counts as yet another major move in the Brodie Van Wagenen era. The rookie GM had been aggressive even before the Ramos agreement, as he acquired Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia over the past couple weeks. Van Wagenen’s likely not done yet, either, as he attempts to construct a roster capable of trumping the sub-.500 versions the Mets fielded from 2017-18.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
First?
No
First time in a long time Mets spending like a big market
Yes, this is nice to see them making moves
Two years ago. Ce$pede$. Lol
They did last year also…older guys who were not worth the $&. Remember their names?
Bruce
AG
Reyes
Aroid was still on the payroll last year right Tardo?
I like not being first.
Don’t worry your Tribe is falling fast and it will be a few years to get back up. You got your wish.
Tribe are in fine shape.
They’re doing the responsible thing and freshening up the roster around their core guys.
In:
Santana
Bauers
(And another young potential star for Klubes, or someone intruiging for Bauer)
Out:
Encarnacion
Alonso
Brantley
Yandy
Gomes
(Kluber or Bauer)
Other than the probable sp trade, no one any better than Santana or Bauers left the team.
Bauers could end up being a steal.
DH is now open, and although Edwin was solid.. someone like Joey Bats or Adam Jones could be signed for much cheaper.
Someone like Joey bats or Adam Jones could also put up less at the plate than EE. Dumping his salary was necessary and you got a better player back at this stage I believe. But even a down year for EE he posted a 115 OPS. Jones hasn’t reached that figure since 2014. I wouldn’t expect him to do it leaving Baltimore 5 years later. Joey Bats is no one’s answer anymore. I hope….
People who just message to be first without saying anything smart or at least talking about the post are douchbags. Dont comment if it’s not a real question or furthers the post
In other words, try to be an adult.
That’s MISTER Douchebag to you.
Who is Ramos’ agent? This really feels like a bad deal for him.
Great for the Mets, tho.
JT to…………
I’d think Dodgers now.
Only if the Marlins change their demands, five years of Bellinger for two years of Realmuto is a ridiculous overpay. That they want prospects on top of Bellinger, that’s asinine.
Agreed. They could just resign Grandal. Bellinger would be a massive overpay and a poor decision by AF. I couldn’t see a scenario where they would’ve included him in a package for 2 years of a catcher when he was an unproven prospect.
Maybe Astros,Reds?
Yea I think Dodgers as well.
Dodgers or Astros. And both those are teams that will not trade their uber prospects. Jeter overplayed his hand
“Jeter overplayed his hand” The Mets had crap to give as far as “uber prospects”, and there’s a long time left till the beginning of the season. Even if the Marlins hold on to him for now they’ll likely be a feeding frenzy at the deadline. By the way just because the Dodgers or Astros haven’t traded those prospects in the past is probably because they weren’t going for the best player at his position.
And thats why they were talking with the Yankees to get him..
The Yankees no longer have the “uber” prospects and they certainly can’t match the Dodgers or Astros cache at this point in time. The White Sox could but whether they want to invest in a catcher with only two more years of control is an entirely different matter. It might depend on what transpires with Bryce Harper and Manny Machado in the coming weeks. They would also probably want an opportunity to lock up Realmuto to an extension during trade negotiations. That would be a long-shot but this was a team reportedly with the best trade offer out there for Machado last winter Machado would have been a one-year rental and the White Sox were only just beginning year #2 of their rebuild so anything seems possible with them.
All that being said, I do agree that the Dodgers and the Astros are the best bet to land Realmuto in a trade, with the Rockies also a good possibility. A loser in the Realmuto sweepstakes will also likely sign FA Yasmani Grandal as their “consolation” prize.
How in the world do you figure it was only “year #2 of their rebuild”? Come-On-Man!
no they were talking to the yankees to get Sanchez who actually is the best. Sanchez had a bad year yes, but he was hurt, and he is controlled far longer
I take Sanchez over JT and not think twice
Sanchez is not close to being the best, and isn’t even top five
Funny Marlins dont care. The league gives them money each year, as low market team.Why.? I never understood why they force major league baseball in florida, there is a ton of minor league ball and its a tourist town.
When I want a good laugh I’ll watch a game where Sanchez is catching.
Slevin: Maybe because the 2017 season was year #1 of the White Sox rebuild, you know the year following the offseason trades of Chris Sale and Adam Eaton. There’s a whole lot of baseball ignorant posters here who actually seem to be agreeing with your misinformed reply as well.
The White Sox have been screaming rebuild long before 2017 my man. They only have 2-3 more years left though.
Continue spewing ignorance regarding the White Sox. I have been a die-hard fan since the early 1960’s when the Go-Go era was still in effect. I can count on one hand or maybe even one middle finger the number of times that Jerry Reinsdorf and Bill Veeck committed to a full-fledged rebuild. What the White Sox have done historically is to consistently reload or retool, seldom ever undertaking a true tanking like they started two offseason’s ago when trading Chris Sale and Adam Eaton.
The Mets graduated a bunch of guys last year, with Nimmo and McNeil being the best pieces. While both are a few years older got rookies…they both raked. They raked throughout the minors too, so I don’t expect either to regress too badly.
Nimmo….mr hustle!
.264 / .404 / .483 / .886 150 OPS+
4.4WAR In 535ABs
McNeil…as a late call up:
.329 / .381 / .471 / .872 140 OPS+.
He produced 2.4WAR in only 224 ABs.
Let’s Go Mets!
Just fyi, McNeil’s OPS should be .852, not .872 based off the .381 OBP and .471 SLG you provided.
Also, I don’t really expect Nimmo’s production to fall either. His batting approach lends itself for a consistently high OBP, and that should continue to fuel his offensive success. However, if he can shorten his swing up a little, then he should be able to further tap into his power. If Nimmo can accomplish that, then he’ll certainly be worth more than even the Mets originally thought he’d be.
With McNeil, I do expect him to regress somewhat. It looks like McNeil tended to benefit from a fairly high and unsustainable BABIP. With that being said, I expect McNeil to look more like about a .280/.340 hitter..Which, is still a quality hitter for them, but like I said, I think his production last year was a bit unsustainable…
As a whole, I actually really like the moves the Nets have made this off-season. By adding Cano, Diaz, Ramos, and Familia, they’ve really managed to sure up some of their biggest weaknesses.
Cano gives the Mets more flexibility around their infield, allowing them to better mix and match-up against their opponents. Ramos fills their void at catcher, and he’ll provide the Mets starters with a trustworthy game-caller and defender behind the plate. Also, Ramos will significantly help the Mets blackhole at C offensively.
Then, Familia and Diaz alone are two solid bullpen arms themselves, but you also have to consider the impact those two will have on the rest of the bullpen. Having those two not only shortens the game, but it’ll also allow the Mets coaches the opportunity to better utilize the other arms in the pen. Diaz and Familia make the Mets bullpen A LOT more versatile, and by putting those other pitchers in more advantageous situations, as a whole unit, it’ll make the Mets bullpen much more effective.
Now, the Mets really only need another OF’er, a bat for their bench, and possibly another reliable SP, and they’ll be just as competitive as any other team in the NL East. Honestly, with the moves they’ve made so far, in terms of favorites to win the division, I think you’d have to put the Mets ahead of the Phillies, and right there just slightly below the Nationals and the Braves..
It’s definitely going to be a really fun fight to watch this season, and the best part is we don’t even have all the pieces of the NL East puzzle into place just yet. I’m sure the Nationals, Phillies, and the Braves are all going to be making even more moves, with each having their eyes set on continuing to try and improve!!
Great post. what Is really impressive is that even as a fan of a rival you spoke objectively. It’s too bad that 90% of the posters here can’t do that. Kudos to you. You’re a rare breed bravesfan88.
Agree 100%. The NL east has certainly been the most active and enjoyable division to see grow through this point in the offseason.
I appreciate your recognition of some solid Mets moves, and for a Braves fan that’s pretty cool my man.
As of right now though, I think Donaldson signing in Atlanta is probably the most underrated addition any team has made to date this offseason in such an overinflated market for position players. While Harper and Machado drive up the price tags in terms of years and dollars, the Braves come out in the first week and grab Dolandson a one year deal for 23mil? Genius. Donaldson was supposed to be one of those guys that we thought two years ago would be signing one of those 5 year/150mil deals. Things don’t break right for one season and now he gets to play on an expensive ‘prove-it’ deal. That’s an organization that played the market correctly. Got out in front of it and did not let other players contracts dictate how they were going to pay their targets.
I love Johan Camargo as a future piece, but to put Donaldson at the hot corner with something to prove and it’s only going to make the team better. Now you have a 4 WAR player that can switch hit, put up 15-20 HRs and play anywhere in the infield coming off the bench. Sign me up.
Also have to respect both the Mets and Braves for not letting the Marlins strong arm them into a deal for Realmuto. Braves have too many great propects on the horizon to start pushing the window to win and sooner, they are here now and will be 10 years from now if they let the farm sit and develop. The Mets to trade for JT would of had to create two holes to fill one. Hard pass for both teams, Marlins will regret being so greedy for JT when they basically gave other (and better) players away for less.
And after Labor Day we can say, “sophomore jinx” or that their rookie season will never be realized again.
This is for Mets’ fans that dis Sanchez.
When did Jeter demote himself from CEO to GM? Come on…
You must not have seen when the report came out of Jeter insisting on what the return for Realmuto has to be. I only say he overplayed his hand because Victor Robles was on the table last summer and MIA turned it down.
Jeter only owns what ? 5% of the team ?
Doesn’t matter he is CEO of the Marlins.
Lol everyone thinks Jeter is the gm
What’s funny is jeters doing an excellent job of making Realmutos rumored trade value off the chain.
Whoever gets him will give up a lot.
Of course he didn’t. He has JT for 2 more years. The market for elite catching is a very thin market. The fact that the Mets may have PERHAPS been unwilling to trade an mlb piece (Syndegard, Nimmo, Conforto) might mean they didn’t have or weren’t willing to give up the prospects the Marlins wanted. Jeter just got crushed for accepting what some say were light packages on Yelich, Stanton and others. Why short-sell JT when he has 2 more years in a sellers market for elite catchers?
Only trade the Marlins made last year that looks bad was Yelich. They were gonna lose Ozuna anyway and with Stanton methinks they were much relieved just to get his contract off the books.
Michael Hill you mean???
Astros
The Astros wouldn’t surprise me, but with all of the SPs with shorter term contracts, I don’t think they’d give up resources for a position player. Dodgers have just missed two years in a row. I could see them moving Ruiz for JT.
Dodgers, Rays, Reds, Padres are the other 4 teams that were left as of a few days ago. I think he ends up with one of the latter two
Reds then? I just don’t see the Padres trading a catcher with two years of control left. I think the Dodgers are the best fit of those four.
Why would the Padres want JTR!? Did Austin Hedges and Frankie Mejia die in a plane crash or something!?!?
Meija survived. Which is why the Padres need an actual catcher…
Astros
KBO
The Marlins, if they keep dragging things out…
Good signing by the Mets. Don’t lose a draft pick or prospects in getting an upgrade at catcher.
It was kind of hard not to upgrade what they had.
Add natural the go the cheaper route.
Thought this team was trying to win now?
WACK.
Real Mutt to Yanks.
Why would they want him. Gary Sanchez is younger and a better more impactful hitter. Even with his poor year last year Sanchez had more homers and RBI per at bat by far. realmuto is better catching the ball of course but I’d still rather have Sanchez because he is that much better a hitter and few teams can touch that.
I fail to see why teams would year their teams apart for Realmuto.. Bellinger for Realmuto don’t make me laugh especially when the dodger could resign Grandal whose a better hitter too. Defense is important yes, but not that important. If it was then why haven’t there been any Weak hitting but great defensive teams winning pennants? I’ll tell you why because defense is overrated.
The value hierarchy is 1.Pitching 2.Hitting and 3.Defense. It’s the same reason that defensive war isn’t as valuable as offensive WAR.
I see Realmuto falling to Rays slowly
No Realmuto, but Ramos is an excellent backup plan.
A good hitter but not a good defender. I do think this is better than trading a lot for JT though
His glove was above average by fangraphs standards last year
He’s got a .994 fielding percentage and thrown out 32% for his career. Yes not a good defender
Better than the last 15 years of Mets catchers lol
METS RULE!!!!
Miami is a joke. Jeter also
Why – because they didn’t trade realmuto to the Mets?
No because he’s over playing his hand because he got bent over with his other trades. He’ll eventually trade him and he’ll get roasted for getting a light return again. This time because demand will not be as high
How can you come to this conclusion not knowing for sure what players the Mets were willing to trade?
Going to laugh so hard when Jeter overplays his hand and ends up taking a weak return for JTR.
I dont think Jeter himself is handling personnel signings and trade negotiations. He is CEO, not GM
I’m pretty sure the CEO will sign off on it. If he don’t like it, he won’t make it
Sure, the CEO will sign off on it as he is the boss. However, he is not handling negotiations and personnel signings, for that is the GMs job.
It wouldnt really be Steinbrenner’s fault is Cashman makes a poor trade or handled negotiations poorly, now would it?
Jeter seems to be living rent free in that noggin of yours bro.
Good job, good pickup, keep talent, JT not worth 2yrs at such prices… curious how MIA will play this, or waiting til the others come off the FA board?
So now the Mets have a starting catcher, so who is going to go off the 40 man? I think it will be the trading of a big contract. Third base could be the place to start. The Met’s are always looking to save money.
Ramos would be #39 on the 40 man.
plawecki, as per Martino
.845 ops for a xatcher is quite good. Realmuto was .825 last year.
The market for JTR is shrinking. Has Jeter & Co held onto their asset for too long?
By at least a year.
Realmuto to the Reds!
Not only should this eliminate the Mets connection to J.T. Realmuto but also those 3-team trade discussions involving Noah Syndergaard. I wouldn’t mind seeing the White Sox pursue both in trade talks. Perhaps that could become a more viable scenario if they were fortunate enough to sign Manny Machado which could then free up a centerpiece young MLB talent like Tim Anderson or Yoan Moncada. The White Sox already possess the prospect capital to make any potential trade with the Mets or Marlins if they so desired.
Co-sign that scenario. If Realmuto would do a big extension.
C’mon cws2019. How many times have I already posted the specifics of such a potential trade involving J.T. Realmuto over the past months on this site?
Well, here it goes again: The White Sox should only consider such a trade if it did not involve any of their top-5 prospects. That would still leave the Marlins with two other top-100 prospects including #59 SP Dane Dunning and #77 OF Blake Rutherford. The White Sox also have a number of regarded prospects in the next tier including a top-10 rated catcher in Zack Collins (#8) who is a native of South Florida, starred at the University of Miami and who might appeal to the Marlins. This trade proposal alone is competitive or better than any I have seen reported so far for the Marlins catcher.
I also addressed the issue of Realmuto’s two years of remaining control by stating that a contract extension would need to be worked out before a deal was consummated. This would be a long-shot but it’s been reported that Realmuto would be open to an extension comparable to the one that a 26-year old Buster Posey received from the Giants (9yrs/$167MM) to avoid arbitration and free agency Those kind of dollars would be something that the White Sox could easily afford and be appropriate for a 27-year old catcher who is currently considered the best in MLB. His age would also be a perfect fit for the White Sox and is comparable to those of both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado who they are also chasing his offseason. I even mentioned some of this in a post earlier in this same comment section.
Mr. MP: Agreed with your specific post above about pursuing JTR if they were able to pull off a Machado signing. Preaching to the choir. It would be fantastic. My subsequent reply was to Overbrook (not you), who based the wisdom of your post solely on 2yrs. Only disagreement in your latest is wouldn’t part with Dunning. Collins/Rutherford give to get and a flier to extend JTR scenario sounds good.
Gotcha! I needed to repeat the spiel anyway for Overbrook and others who may not have caught it in earlier posts.
9 years is insane for a catcher. Was, is and always will be.
Forcing an extension will drive the price up
That Posey contract looks to terrible right now. You don’t give 9 year contracts to a catcher.
Good lord, a 62 win team trading quality prospects for a player on a 2 year contract? that kind of nonsense out of Hahn is what caused the need to rebuild.
If there is an extension. Not for 2yrs, b/c yes that would be a foolish gamble.
It’s not nonsense considering Realmuto’s age and status as MLB’s best catcher. The White Sox are expected to be potential contenders in 2020 in a weak AL Central. That could be expedited depending on what transpires this offseason. I’ve laid out the parameters of a trade ad nauseum on this site for quite some time and repeated it once again in my comment reply above.
This is all coupled with my opinion that catching is a weak position in the White Sox system, especially from a defensive standpoint, which is what matters most considering the power arms that have and will be arriving over the next couple of seasons. It would be nice if the White Sox could help those young pitchers along with an experienced catcher who is still only 27-years old, one who also gets high marks with his defense, leadership skills and hitting ability.
I have also stated that the White Sox would be wise to consider FA Yasmani Grandal this offseason despite being 3 years older than Realmuto. Grandal has many of the same qualities that Realmuto possesses and is actually a much better pitch framer which could be important for those White Sox power arms who also have some concerns regarding their command.
All of my suggestions for improving the White Sox come with some caveats including timing. For instance:
If the White Sox signed Manny Machado it would give them a surplus of young MLB ready talent at SS (Tim Anderson) or at 3B (Yoan Moncada) depending on what position he plays. One of these young 5-tool players with considerable ceilings and team control could then potentially be used as a centerpiece along with other young players or prospects to acquire a younger ace like Noah Syndergaard who would instantly transform a mediocre 2019 rotation into a respectable one to open the 2019 season. Adding Dylan Cease in July and Michael Kopech in 2020 could potentially make this staff among the better ones in all of MLB.
If the White Sox signed RF Bryce Harper it would allow them to trade from an already formidable group of highly regarded OF’s in their system. Top prospects Eloy Jimenez (LF) and Luis Robert (CF) would be untouchable since they would combine with Harper to give the White Sox one of the most potentially devastating OF’s in MLB over the next 7-10 years. That would leave a top-100 talent like Blake Rutherford available for trade, perhaps as part of a package for J.T. Realmuto I already presented. The White Sox have on of the deepest farm systems in all of MLB which includes 7 OF’s among their top-14 prospects. The other area of greatest depth is with their starting pitching which includes 4 of their top-10 prospects. Dane Dunning was one I suggested to possibly join Rutherford in that proposed Realmuto deal.
If the White Sox whiff on a Realmuto deal, in part because they missed out on Harper, Machado or both, then Yasmani Grandal would be a nice get as the top FA catcher available. Next year’s class isn’t expected to include anyone of his stature, just like it won’t have anybody comparable to Harper or Machado at least in terms of age. 3B Nolan Arenado looks to be the best but he will be a couple years older. This is why Rick Hahn is even considering jumping into the FA or trade markets this offseason despite the White Sox being maybe another year from legit contenders. It’s all about timing!
Tim Anderson…lol
Except Realmuto isn’t the majors best catcher and never will be. I take a prime aged Buster Posey. Gary Carter. Gary Sanchez. Mike Piazza. Johnny Bench. Thurman Munson. Carlton Fisk. Middle of the order threat over Realmuto every day of the week.. It’s an incredible advantage having a catcher that can hit
I still take Yadier Molina and Salvador Perez over Realmuto
0 for 50 is looking better with each passing day.
I’m happy that I got one right. Happ to the Yanks. I picked Ramos to the Astros and Maldonado to the Mets. At this point, I’m just hoping to get at least one more right.
gotta admit, knowing the Mets would contend would’ve helped. At least Dbacks and Mariners rebuilds were for real.
I was hoping Phils would bring him back to pair with Alfaro, but I guess they’ll opt for Knapp as backup? Oh well, good move by NYM.
I was hoping the same but didn’t have much faith in it happening. They need a solid veteran catcher to mentor Alfaro, who has never seen a passed ball opportunity he didn’t like.
Knapp is terrible. I don’t think they plan on him as their backup.
From a standpoint of losing prospects, this was the best move for the Mets. Realmuto was way too expensive and Grande
hell yeah. great no trafe. we’ll get him as a free agent
JT Realmuto, Starlin Castro and Jose Urena for Sean Murphy, Dustin Fowler and Jorge Mateo
Marlins overplayed their hand on Realmuto, now the crown is MUCH smaller in terms of suitors.
This is a smart move by the Mets. As good as JTR is, the Marlins are asking for WAY too much from everyone. At some point the Marlins have to drop their asking price.
Good signing for the Mets, it fills another weakness, Brody is the breath of fresh air for the Mets, even though I stil think they finish 3rd in the East. If they can land Pollack to play center the will have done well this winter.
They still have no bullpen, even with Diaz and Famz.
Who in the NL East has a better pen than the mets right now? I would say only arguably the Nationals.
Diaz is one of the best ones last year, familia was no slouch after his trade, and we have young guy in gsellman that can be your situation guy along with lugo. Am i saying they are the best bullpen, no ,but to say they have no bullpen would be incorrect. At worst they are mid pack in the league if not higher assuming everyone stays healthy.
This is also assuming they dont pick up the about dozen good relievers out there. i dont think they will but damn Brody getting those purse strings to open up.
They basically have 2 guys now. G-sell and Lugz are no sure things. Need 2 mas.
I would say Brewers and Cubs have pretty solid bullpens. If Cubs can pull off getting Britton or Ottavino, then they would by far have the best bullpen.
Ooops, I see you said NL East…
Pollock is too much of an injury risk. Not worth it.
Brodie and his staff seem to know how to keep their moves private…that’s a good sign!
Yes, both this and Familia seemed to come out of nowhere!
Wouldn’t call cano and Diaz private
Nothing is private when DiPoto is involved.
Good signing for the Mets, it fills another weakness, Brody is the breath of fresh air for the Mets, even though I stil think they finish 3rd in the East. If they can land Pollack to play center they will have done well this winter. Realmuto is the toughest trade to make, Hill called him a unicorn!
Mets spending (!!!))
Told y’all BVW would convince Wilpons to spend.
He got Vargas, Cespedes, Frazier $143M from the Wilpons
Ramos and Syndergaard (or Nimmo/Rosario) >>>>>>>>>> Realmuto only.
Thank God they took this route instead of all those rumors bouncing around.
Angels missed on another one cheap ass organization
Understand the Angels have zero direction. I’m not confident they even know the vast majority of these players.
Not sure how I feel. Was kinda amped for jt
People are saying that Jeter overplayed when he didn’t, Marlins can keep JT for the first half of the seaon and he will produce even better numbers than this year and at the deadline some team will need him more than now and he will still have another full year of control…. sounds like a great bargaining chip
What if he’s only producing at the same rate, or worse, he gets hurt or his numbers tank? Then he’s got less controllability and a smaller market because of less buyers, all of whom know keeping JTR is a pr disaster for the Marlins?
See? Sounds much more dire when you throw in likely outcomes with the highly unlikely
Marlins are throwing this opportunity away.
Welp realmutos market shrunk a little with this move
Great pickup for cheap. Would like to see CF filled cause can’t count on Lagaras. Keep Nimmo and conforto in the corners.
Not that far of a drop off from realmuto and creates less holes. Mets are looking solid right now.
Great move now get Pollack.
Dodgers need to go for JT
I LOVE IT!!!! Phenomenal signing and for only two years….just wow. Great job BVM. Ramos may not have the glove of Realmuto or Grandal but that righthanded bat is potent and balanced the lineup. This off season has be an A- so far for Brodie Van Wagenen. Now, of he can add an everyday CF and add some more bullpen depth, the off season would then become an A+.
Agreed. Glad they signed a player instead of trading for JTR. Grandal was the best FA but he would’ve cost more and wanted more years, so I’m fine with the move.
Exactly. I heard that Grandal wanted at least a 4 yr, $60 million deal. I feel a lot better with Ramos for 2 yrs and possibly 3. If the option is exercised, the deal would max out at 3 yrs, $27. 5 million. That’s a bargain for player with a quality bat like Ramos. Even if Ramos plays only 110 games in each season, it would be well worth the investment.
Good luck finding a trade partner now Marlins, you missed your opportunity to get some decent talent. Now the Mets have a good catcher as well as Conforto, Nimmo & Rosario. Haha!!!! Enjoy last place Miami.
The Mets current projected lineup is pretty damn good:
1. Nimmo
2. Rosario
3. Cano
4. Ramos
5. Conforto
6. Alonso/Frazier
7. McNeil
8. Lagares
If the Mets add either AJ Pollock or Adam Jones to this lineup, man, would be a Top 5 NL lineup for sure.
The NL east is stacked. Mets improve to maybe 85 wins at best and compete for 3rd place with phils
@Michael Handsman
Yea, okay. Try again. The Mets currently have the best rotation & closer in the NL East. If the Nationals don’t resign Harper, their lineup is a lot weaker. The Braves added Brian McCann to their roster. Woo hoo!!! Yea, the Mets just added Wilson Ramos who’s 10 times better than McCann is right now. Phillies have talent, but if they don’t sign either Machado or Harper AMD if they don’t get a “real” closer, the phillies will finish 4th in this division. As it stands right now, the Mets are the most talented team in the NL East.
Mets additions: Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia & Wilson Ramos
Braves additions: Josh Donaldson & Brian McCann
Phillies additions: Andrew McCutchen, Jean Segura, Juan Nicasio & James Pazos
Nationals additions: Patrick Corbin, Yan Gomes, Kurt Suzuki, Trevor Rosenthal & Kyle Barraclough.
Now, the Mets have clearly made the more impactful additions to their roster. Also, take into account the players that were lost or at least still free agent’s from all of these teams, the Mets are clearly the most improved. The Braves lost Kurt Suzuki who outperformed McCann. The Braves also lost Nick Markakis, an NL Allstar to free agency and have yet to replace his bat. The Nationals lost Bryce Harper, need I say more. The Phillies have made very good additions to their team but also lost Carlos Santana and currently have no closer. The biggest loss for the Mets this off season has been trading away their 3rd & 4th best prospects Kelenic & Dunn. If you want to include Bruce in there, go ahead, but he was a massive disappointment in 2018.
So, please explain to us all how the Mets are only 3rd best in this division???
I could be wrong here but, my guess is that it was 2 years plus the option so they’ll be in play if JTR becomes a free agent in 2 years. If he’s a free agent they decline the option and go JTR hunting in free agency. If he’s not available and Ramos is productive, he’s the backup plan for 1 more year.
Just thinking maybe….
That wouldn’t surprise me at all. Barring something catastrophic, I believe JT Realmuto will be the Mets catcher in 2021.
You predicted that he would be the Mets catcher in 2019 and that the Mets would get lots of prospects along with him. I would be surprised if the Mets spend the $20+ million AAV Realmuto is going to be earning after 2020.
You are probably right that the Muts are competing for 3rd place with the Phils. Nationals and Braves are head and shoulders better than both. Now if the Phils start spending stupid money like Middleton said, the Mets could be fighting to stay out of last.
I’m guessing that the Mets won’t be fighting with the Marlins for that distinction anytime soon.
I’m not sure we should come to the conclusion that the Nats are all that and a dimesack either. The Mets look pretty comparable on paper. If you go down the line
Advantage:
C: Mets
1B: Maybe slightly nats with the potential for it to be Mets if Alonso breaks through
2B: Mets huge
3B. Nats Huge.
SS. Nats huge
Corner outfield. Soto edges out Nimmo
CF. MAT/Robles
Other corner: Conforto or Eaton is pretty close. I’ll say a push.
Back end of the BP: Advantage Clearly goes to the Mets.
I’d say the starting pitching is too close to call as well. The Nats still need to fill out their back half but I suppose I’ll like whoever they go with at least as much as I like Jason Vargas. I don’t think either one of those teams is miles better than the other. Just don’t see that.
“Corner outfield. Soto edges out Nimmo”
Gee, how big of you to concede that, lol.
The Mets advantage is a C who has trouble staying on the field and a 36 year old 2nd baseman who is off his roids now.
That’s scary.
Great move by the Mets, starting to build a lineup!
JTR for Tucker, Stubbs, Blilack and a warm body….makes sense. It’s a better package than I think LA would offer, unless they include May; they won’t.
Meanwhile, “The Buffalo” now roams at Shea……makes sense, if they went for JTR it would have been just addition by subtraction…..tho Ramos will infuriate the Mets faithful “legging out” ground balls….makes Manny (either one) look like Pete Rose…..
You guys act like the Mets were the only ones in play for Realmuto. Plenty of teams still out there that could give Miami a good package for him.
Whats your definition of plenty? Remember, one of them will sign Grandal.
This is an absolute steal. Im shocked he couldn’t get more in years seeing as how Suzuki who is 4 years older got 2. I know there are injury concerns but we’re looking at an All-Star
Good move for the Mets, but it drops my pick percentage down even further.
He will still end up in ATL. AA doesnt let people know anything he is doing tell it is done
Lol at people saying Ramos is better than Sanchez. Sanchez had one bad year and people think he sucks now. Go take a look at his 2017 numbers, Ramos will never have a season like that, nor will Realmuto.
Realmuto and Ramos probably wont ever have ones as godawful terrible as Sanchez was last year either.
How do you know that? And even if that is the case, il take 10 elite years and 1 godawful year from Sanchez any day of the week.
they will if they were injured like Sanchez was
give Sanchez the same number of at bats that JT had and he has 30 hrs and 80 RBI even with the low batting average
how quickly people forget realmuto had 50% more at bats
He had one horrible season and one good season. Lol im betting he trends more towards last season
Lets make a bet then. I’m willing to bet he performs somewhere close to his 2017 season next year.
.270 or better avg, 30+ hr, 85-90 rbi
He’ll bat .230 but hrs and rbis dead on
Wait so you’re saying people should write off his bad season, but what about his 1.5 good seasons? That extra half season proves you right over others?
When did I say that? I’m saying people forgot just how great he was in 2017. He wasn’t good, he was great.
Than he was god awful.
This is still the problem, you have a small sample size, half great, half terrible… It’s just as logical to discard one half as it is the other without more data.
Avila had a couple good years when he started, then the injuries hit and he’s only had one good year since. Catcher is a hard position to find consistent offensive production.
Why don’t you give the same response to all the people saying Sanchez sucks?
He wasn’t for awful.your forgetting Realmuto had 50% more at bats even them out and even hitting 186 Sanchez crushes realmuto.
Sanchez overrated trash lmao
That’s rich coming from a Pelicans fan – lots of talent, zero results.
Enjoying mediocrity?
I love how people doubt Sanchez after 1 bad injury ridden year, what a joke lmaooo. He is going to take a massive dump on anyone who is doubting him now 2019 onward. He’s not even in his prime yet and he still Sh*ts on most if not all mlb catchers. Call me a biased Yankee fan but I’m speaking from what he has done so far
Please stop making Yankees fans look clueless!
What did I say that was so clueless? Please enlighten me lmao
You are a biased Yankee fan.
Yankeepatriot
You are anal expulsive.
You are a biased Yankee fan… And you emit a foul and unpleasant odor… I LOATHE you! 😉
Lol Seinfeld!
youtu.be/V2Ko4Z7eAYk
This is what I’ve been talking about. Mets and Phillies making moves to get significantly better, braves sitting back thinking they are good. Bullpen needs help bravos … the market is there. Make it happen
So signing Donaldson is sitting back?
I’m a Mets fan and let me tell you the Braves have a really good team. Don’t think for a second that the Mets or Phillies are above them because we’re not.
Good move. I like Ramos over Grandal. Bet Grandal makes more and gets more years too.
Good deal for the Mets. I’d have been glad to have him back with the Phillies for 2-3 years and at a slightly higher salary. But I guess the Phillies are fairly confident with Alfaro going forward.. :-/
As a Yankee fan when comparing Sanchez to JT it is obvious to see Sanchez is the superior hitter but JT is by far the superior defend her.
Besides blocking balls in the dirt is he really that much better behind the plate ?
Exactly, Sanchez is better at throwing out baserunners dude has a cannon
Catching the ball is pretty important for a catcher.
And he frames amazingly well and calls a very good game
Sanchez is below average at pitch framing and his pitchers have a .57 higher ERA with him behind the plate. legacy.baseballprospectus.com/sortable/index.php?c…
He is not a good catcher. He is a good slugger. That is it. Its enough on some teams, but if the Yankees were not stuck with Stanton, Sanchez would be the DH.
“It’s obvious that Sanchez is a better hitter”. Um what based on one year what is obvious is that JT Realmuto, at this point is better then Sanchez both offensively and defensively. Let’s put it this way if both players had the same control and you could have either one there is not one Gm including Cashman that would not rather have JT Realmuto both offensively and defensively.
Jt is NOT the better hitter. You have to be blind to say otherwise
Sanchez has a higher ops, more home runs and only has less rbi’s Cause he hasn’t been in the league as long. He is almost 4 years younger and already their offensive numbers are comparable
JTRs produced more reliably, though
He didn’t last year you are basing Sanchez production on a little over one full year. JT has done it far longer plus JT plays in the Mitch tougher park to hit. I think Sanchez has frightening power but overall JTR is the better hitter as well.
“Much”
wOBA is the ultimate ranking of how well a player hits. The last 2 seasons for Realmuto – .342 For Sanchez – .341 wRC+ is the best way to measure how much a player contributed to his team scoring runs. For the past 2 seasons Realmuto is 116 and Sanchez is 113. Very comparable hitters. When it comes to defense, pitch framing, and calling cames its no contest. Realmuto is head and shoulders above Sanchez. If I had to pick one of those two to be my catcher, its Realmuto. If I had to pick one to be my DH its Sanchez.
Your an idiot Sanchez has outshot Realmuto 2 of the last 3 seasons and the one season he outshot Sanchez Realmuto had 50% more at bats. I take Sanchez all day. everyday. Marlin fans are ridiculous.
You are a homer Yankee fan of course you would take Sanchez. By the way what are we talking about hockey? Never really heard the term being “outshot” in baseball and you are calling other people idiots wow.
I guess the 3rd word of your post should have told me all I needed to know, but I went ahead and read the rest. My mistake. I already posted below the wOBA and wRC+ rankings. As for OPS, over the past 2 seasons its .803 for Realmuto and .802 for Sanchez. Here is the link. fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=c&stats=bat�…
Why keep comparing their last 2 years?
Why not the last three?
I love how you want to include sanchez’s awful year and not count 2016 so the stats skew in the way of your arguement.
Why does 2016 not count but 18 does?
Hack.
Just compare their care ops.
They are about the same age.
Sanchez 847 ops
Realmutto 768 ops.
Wow!!! Someone mimicking my user name. That’s both hilarious & sad!!! People can carly tell us about, just the way we post things are different. Just wow, speechless.
Plawecki is better than d’Arnaud so I think it’s the latters roster spot in jeopardy, not Plawecki’s
Realmuto to Rays. Marlins are probably the dumbest organization in sports. They probably could have traded him 3 times already but they think they’re trading Johnny Bench or Yogi Berra
Bench is my all time favorite catcher and the guy I told my son to pattern his game after. I was curious about the comparison. In his 4th MLB season Bench had a 4.1 WAR. In his 5th year he busted out with a 9.2 WAR, one of the best seasons by a catcher ever. In his 4th MLB season Realmuto had a 4.8 WAR. Of course, Bench was 23 and Realmuto is 27 so that plays into value alot. Will be interesting to see how Realmuto progresses. He had never played catcher before being drafted, so the first few seasons in the pros were a learning experience to say the least. That is why his defense is getting better year after year in the majors.
2 yrs.. good signing..
Next 150 DL stint goes to…
150 day*
Good.
He’s probably gonna get injured, but they got him pretty cheap and Brodie didn’t get swindled out of Thor or Nimmo for a player only moderately better than Ramos.
fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=c&stats=bat�…
Not moderately. Tremendously better.
I mean Ramos 2017 season was essentially a wash coming off ACL surgery. so I’m not really going to put any weight into that season. That skews the 3 year numbers heavily into realmuto’s favor. He’s clearly the better catcher but Ramos is better than that WAR figure shows. Even with an essentially washed out 2017 he’s 9th in WAR since 2016 for catchers. He’s a top 5 talent behind the plate for a bargain deal. The opportunity cost of replacing Nimmo+ or Thor with a lesser player is greater than the difference between Ramos and JTR, I do believe.
Plawecki a trade candidate? For what, a box of Kleenex which they might still owe Flores? A lot of money but probably worthwhile given they were not getting Realmuto. If they were dead set on getting a new starting catcher, why tender D’Arnaud? Insurance is one thing if the trade with Miami doesn’t pan out but this signing suggests they were never going to start the year with TD.
Have you looked around MLB at the state of catching?
Plawecki sucks, but he’s still serviceable, cost controlled, and there will be plenty of teams that could use him as a backup.
Gained a lot of respect for Brodie today. Good on him for telling the Marlins to piss off when they wouldn’t back off their ridiculous price for Realmuto.
Agreed. Brodie Van Wagenen knew what JTR was really worth and refused to go beyond that. I’ll be the first to admit, when the Mets were doing interviews for GM, I wanted Chaim Bloom. I can honestly say, thank God the Mets hired Brodie Van Wagenen instead. I was dead wrong about wanting Bloom over BVM. LGM!!!
Dead wrong about what homer?
What’s the mets record?
That’s right, haven’t played a game but he declares brodie Executive of the year, lol.
Wow, it’s sad, you continually try to find my comments & reply to them. You are a lonely, pathetic soul. I hope you enjoy being a moronic nothing because it sure is entertaining to all of us. I’m going to continue having my d!ck & ba!!$ sucked while you continue ma$turba÷ing to gir!’$ you’ll never have. Haha!!!
So much for the three-way deal talks. I gotta hand it to BVW, making aggressive upgrades for his team. I was expecting him to pursue Grandal, but Ramos is a solid catcher in his own right. And the winter continues
angels should have signed him
Would of, could of, should of. LGM!!!
Good for Ramos!!
Btw, it’s not a coincidence that the Mets gave Ramos just 2 guaranteed years, Realmuto will be a free agent in two years. Does anyone really think that Brodie Van Wagenen won’t attempt to sign Realmuto then??? It’s really ingenious when you think about it. Realmuto will only be 29 y/o then. Way to go BVM.
A lot can happen in two years. Part of the charm now is paying Reamuto now less than he’s worth.
Of course a lot can change within the next 2 years but there’s one absolute certainty, Realmuto will not be a Marlin anymore. Haha!!!!!!
Lol, in two years the mets will be desperately trying to trade Cano for a longer contracted guy who used to be great.
I’ve never seen a fan base so excited to get Wilson Ramos.
WILSON RAMOS
hahahahaha
On the bright side, between him and d’arnaud maybe they can play 120 games
80% of my excitement comes from the fact Ramos removes Realmuto as an option, who would have cost the Mets Nimmo+ or possibly Rosario+.
Holy crap. Hes getting 19mm for 2 years. Why? Hes not worth half that.
Yayy, another troll.
Not an troll. Just facts.
Cheering that you found another troll like you? Soulmates.
The fact that you think a 8.5 million AAV for Ramos is a overpay shows you know nothing about baseball ……
You’re just a salty nats fan who went to the Mets. It is overpay otherwise the nats would have kept him.
The Phillies would have kept him too for that matter. They wanted to spend stupid money. They’d rather give cutch 50 mil
I know more about baseball than you ever will. Mice troll job though.
Nats are just salty because they went and overpaid for Weiters instead of holding onto Ramos who got less for the same length and performed a lot better.
Gotta be wary of the Mice Trolls bro. Always.
Nice job Mets…Loved Ramos last year in Philly…one of the few players that had a clue what that wood on his shoulder was supposed to be used for….solid player…wish he was back in Philly again…Alfaro is Mr. Iron Glove..can’t catch the ball and strikes out at an alarming rate..
While I’d love another big bullpen arm and CF, I’d have to say if the Mets make no more big moves I’m satisfied with this club. I think they overpaid for Cano and that will bite them in the future, maybe as soon as midseason when they lack assets to make big trade addition, but this is a club with a fairly high ceiling.
I think they have several more moves left in them. Now is the time to build out some depth. Preferably by signing veterans to minor league contracts and stashing them away. Rajai Davis was a sneaky brilliant signing, for example. I’d like to see them sign 3 or 4 pitchers (starters and relievers), as well as a goodish fielding shortstop (Alcides Escobar? Jose Iglesias?) For the love of Keith…no Ollie Perez, please.
As for the Marlins, I think many MLB GMs see what’s happening..Clearly, they are not going to get the haul they thought they’d get..
Now, if there is an injury to a key catcher leading up to the season, things can change…
The Dodgers should have signed him if he was willing to sign such a short term deal. He was the free agent I wanted the most.
Braves are not out on Realmuto stop listening to Bowman he is an idiot. He has not broken any news since AA took over. Atlanta’s GM moves in stealth mode. You don’t find out about a move until he makes it.
If Bowman & his sources are so on top of everything where were they on Donaldson or McCann. Just because McCann was signed doesn’t take them out the running. Once a Realmuto is aquired Flowers becomes a huge asset. All those same teams will be looking for a catcher. He won’t bring back anything near what they give up for J.T. but he will bring something back.
Good pickup for the Mets they are impressing me with the moves Brodie has been making.
I think the marlins will end up shooting themselevs in the foot and will get fleeced in a JT trade. They are acting like he has 4 or more years of control. He’s good indeed but the longer they hold him the more value he loses, especially if potential trade partners fill their catcher needs with other options like the Mets just did
*See Reds>Chapman.
Love it. Hoping Rosario lives up to the hype now and Gimenez has a monster year, either one could be a monster trade chip come the deadline.
Get another bullpen arm and get creative in a trade for a center fielder (don’t love Pollock or Jones).
I agree with most of what you said besides your hate for Pollock & Jones. Either would be an upgrade for the Mets but I would only sign them for the “right” deal.
Agreed, I should rephrase. Either one would be a huge upgrade but neither one is worth jeopardizing the future for.
$19MM guaranteed is awfully cheap for a really good catcher.
It’s sure going to be good to not see Realmuto playing for a division rival now that both the Mets and Braves are out of it.
I’m guessing when all is said and done, Yankees for something headlined by Gary Sanchez…and everyone will come up with their conspiracy theories.
Fat chance that happens. Now that Sanchez had his shoulder repaired people will see just how much better Sanchez is.
The Yankees never wanted Realmuto,they wanted Syndergaard. That’s why they never offered Sanchez
I thought the Marlins were in Miami because you’re certainly California Dreaming, haha!!! Marlins suck!!!
BTW, I think it’s safe to say now that this Realmuto thing is coming to an end, I think the Marlins and the Marlins fan base can openly say a big thank you to the Mets organization for allowing themselves to be used as leverage for trade disucssions with the other teams in the Realmuto sweepstakes.
You are such a tool
I know you dropped out of high school but bro, it’s never too late to get educated………It’s sad to see that Marlins fans are just as clueless as their teams front office. Don’t worry Marlins fans, things will get better…………….eventually.
You’re welcome.
I honestly don’t think Ramos is *that* far a step down from Realmuto for the next two years, and the Mets get to keep all of their other assets in doing so.
I’m good with this.
I missed where Realmuto was traded?
So while they did gain leverage because of the Mets’ aggressiveness, the Mets are now officially out, meaning that leverage is gone.
How is that a good thing for the Marlins?
Twice the money for half the player. fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=c&stats=bat�… Nice. But they didn’t have to give away any of their MLB roster so that works.
And JT’s value continues to drop. Marlins(Jeter) loses again.
This contract keeps getting better. It’s like he took a discount! Lol
Was always a fan. He is a gamer. Plus nobody to give up.
Again?
First!
As a Mets fan, I like the Ramos signing buy they overpaid by double what he is worth.
I am glad the Mets didn’t get Realmuto. The Marlins have overpriced his worth.
What the Mets trade for Hall of Famer and perennial all -star and clubhouse leader Gary Carter?
Herm Winningham, a top ten in house prospect. Floyd Youmans, a top ten in house prospect, a backup Catcher in Fitzgerald and Hubie Brooks, an average every day player.
So let’s figure out what a younger than Carter but not as good offensively and maybe as good defensively would be worth in trade value.
LHP Peterson, Lagares, Plawecki and OF F. Valdez.
This would be the talent equivalent given away in the Carter deal, but Realmuto is not Gary Carter. So, Plawecki, Peterson and Lagares would be a fair swap.
The Marlins thinking Syndergaard is worth Realmuto is insane. Catchers have a ten year shelf life if they are lucky as an everyday starter. Realmuto has 6 years left in that ten year span. Once again, he isn’t Gary Carter.
The comparable pitcher to SYndergaard to that deal in terms of talent would be Louis Severino of the Yankees. Would the Yankees trade Severino for Realmuto. No, they would laugh at the suggestion.
The question is as a Mets fan, would you trade Syndergaard straight up for Gary Carter. Yes of course. Would you throw in a backup catcher, yes! Would you throw in other players? Probably not any prospects. Maybe Lagares but noting more.