The Mets have designated infielder Gavin Cecchini for assignment, per a club announcement. His roster spot will go to just-signed reliever Justin Wilson, whose previously reported deal is now official.
Cecchini, 25, was the 12th overall pick in the 2012 draft. Clearly, his development has not gone as anticipated at that time. He has appeared briefly in the majors, but has not yet come close to commanding a full chance at the game’s highest level.
Perhaps it’s not too soon to give up hope on Cecchini, who turned in a pair of productive upper-minors campaigns at the plate in 2015-16 but has fallen off the pace since. The high-contact, low-power hitter scuffled a bit in 2017 and missed much of the ensuing season with a foot injury, though he hit just fine when healthy.
For the Mets, there were obviously too many infield alternatives and too many other roster demands to hang on to Cecchini. One significant factor is likely the fact that he has largely moved over to second base from shortstop, limiting his pathways to the majors.
At this point, perhaps, the smart money is on a future as a utility player. That said, there’s still some real potential value. And other teams may well think that Cecchini still has the tools to become a significant performer. With one more option year remaining, he could be a trade or waiver-wire target for clubs that have an under-utilized roster spot and want to take a shot.
never even got a chance to play consistently
Farhan has entered the chat
Mets have 75 infielders so not a big surprise but I would have dumped Rhame instead. Sandy has some big hits draft wise like Nimmo and Conforto but Chech drafted ahead of Corey Seager, ouch.
Let’s not forget L.J. Mazzilli over Corey Belinger
It is Cody Bellinger.
lol sorry. Spellcheck did it. My point was Lee Jr.
LJ Mazz is a Yankee ……
Now he was a met
We gave him to the Yankees for a bag of balls.
Gavin never really had a fair shake, should have been up last season to evaluate
He was injured almost all of last season in AAA.
Cecchini was basically injured all season, and he missed a lot of time in 2017 when he would have had a chance. It’s not his fault or the team’s fault, just dumb luck. Rosario and McNeil are better anyway.
Makes perfect sense. His throwing issues limit him to 2B, where Cano, Lowrie, McNeil and Rivera (and probably Guillorme too) all are ahead of him…
well, at least he will always get to say he homered off Kershaw for his first (and only, thus far) MLB homer.
Come on Detroit.
How come TJ Rivera is never mentioned as a utility infielder. I know he’s coming off surgery & lost all of last year. He was their best hitter at end of 2017 season & has always hit at every level.
He’ll force them into considering him. If he’s healthy TJ is an invaluable piece.
I wouldn’t go that far. Rivera was a poor man’s Wilmer Flores, and that may even be a stretch.
Rivera may have a better bat, but its worth seeing more of him first to decide. I think highly of Flores, but Rivera’e shown some nice offensive flashes too.
Rivera can hit, but he’s like Flores in that he doesn’t really have a position. He’s good injury insurance for AAA.
Thanks Rivera = ty wiggington
Rivera is 30 and a non factor. McNeil has much more upside and contract control. He will end up coaching one day.
Trade of 2 disappointing prospects, Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart for Cecchini
We are thankful the Mets passed on Seager for Cecchini
Crazy how him and his brother both didn’t develop.
The Mets should try and sign Adam Jones and Gio for like $5 mil each than trade Nimmo,Lagares and Wheeler to Cleveland for Bauer. Mets rotation; deGrom,Syn,Gio,Bauer and Matz. The Mets OF can be McNeil,Jones and Conforto.
No way…. Nimmo and Wheeler wouldnt both be in play. Im all about signing Gio and pushing Vargas to the ‘pen
degGrom
Syndergaard
Wheeler
Matz
Gonzalez
I like Wheeler better than Bauer anyway.
If there is a trade to be made…i’d go bigger….
Matz,McNeil,Gimenez,Peterson and Brodie
For Kluber and low level prospect.
Again..if Wheeler has to be inserted instead of Matz..its a no go…plus if Im Cleveland…id rather have Matz for 3 yrs
than have Wheeler for 1 and watch him walk.
deGrom
Syndergaard
Kluber
Wheeler
Gonzalez
That would be the rotation I’d try to build
Fantasy idea time is over mets fans.
Now for a break to reality.
Do you want to see the starting rotation as of June 1st?
Hint: first look at the DL list.
That’s a horrendous idea. Bauer has one great season along with average pitching in every other season he’s had in the majors. He’s not a significant enough upgrade over Wheeler to include Nimmo and Lagares. He’s also, on a personal level, quite odious.
Mets have invested two years in basically zero return from Wheeler. I believe they will ride out his contract and, if he stays healthy, offer him an extension.
I have heard (or read ) worse ideas. Gio (they say ) has a nice record at Citi Field .
He NEVER PROVED he could play ANY POSITION….. awful Defense, NO Arm & Hurt a lot ……. waste of a HIGH DRAFT PICK.
Still a young guy. Worth a look.
well, this should at least help Gavin get some playing time elsewhere. will be nice to see what he can do with a bit more opportunity.
Someone will claim him
If I was the marlins or Detroit I would be all over this
KC Royals, behind Whit Merrifield. Go get ‘em.
Not sure if it’s Alderson’s scoouts that failed or the minor league infrastructure but man what a bunch of underachieving duds during his tenure.
Since 2011 the Mets have had what, 6 or 7 legitimate major leaguers come through their system? Hopefully Minaya and Brodie can improve on that.
Actually, that’s probably true of every major league franchise, don’t you think? Organizations are filled with 200 drafted players that will never see a major league field.
A good bet to get traded, even if for minor league roster fill (AA OF is who exactly?)
Tigers should take a chance on checchini ….by the way also fire big Al
Mets lose their first round draft pick over dumping Cheech and trading Plawecki?
Just read this, hope it’s not true!
It can’t be. Why would that happen? Players are a bust so you punish the team? Nonsense!