First baseman Matt Adams has exercised the opt-out clause in the minor-league contract he signed with the Mets, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. He’s now a free agent. Adams had been included in the Mets’ 60-player pool.
Adams will look for an opportunity with a new team, with the Mets’ group of position players making it unlikely that Adams would find significant playing time this year, even with the National League playing with a Designated Hitter.
With Pete Alonso firmly entrenched at first base and Dominic Smith right behind him, Adams fell firmly behind that combination in the Mets’ pecking order. Smith will likely get priority as the Mets allocate DH at-bats, and Yoenis Cespedes figures to get some run in that role ahead of Adams.
Adams, 31, was a contributor on last year’s title-winning Nationals team, making 333 plate appearances and slugging 20 homers for the Nats. But his overall performance offensively was nothing special, as he tallied a mediocre .741 OPS. And for a player who’s limited defensively, average offense is often not enough to justify clearing space in the lineup for his bat.
That said, Adams is a decent bet to latch on with another club as a situational role-player. He’s made a living as a pinch hitter and reserve bat, and with a track record of solid power numbers, there are certainly teams who can make use of his skillset.
There you go Bullets. Just what the Braves need instead of that miserable Alonso.
Braves suck.
Matt Adams always reminds me of how bad the Eric Hosmer deal was/is. After the 2017 season Adams gets a 1Y/$4M deal and Hosmer snags a 8Y/$144M… Hosmer since then = -.5fWAR, Adams = + .7fWAR.
Even if you set contracts aside I think I would rather have Adams at this point. Neither are good on defense, but at least Adams has some pop. He’s a decent bat to have off your bench, could get some use with universal DH now too. I assume he’ll get snagged by someone looking for a LH bench bat (Atlanta?) sooner rather than later.
Actually, Adams is a pretty good defensive 1B. The only issue is that’s the only position he can play.
He would be a great add for any team looking for an impact bat of the bench or a platoon at 1B.
Wise decision by Adams. Wonder if ATL would entertain him as a DH and let Ozuna play LF everyday.
With Puig out I don’t see why not.
I honestly like the idea of that. Adams is far from a star, but he’d be a decent bat they could slot into the #5 hole.
1. Acuna
2. Albies
3. Freeman
4. Ozuna
5. Adams
6. Riley
7. TDA
8. Swanson
9. Inciarte
It’d balance the order a bit in terms of handedness, and make opposing managers at least think about game-planning for another lefty in the heart of the order.
.276 OBP last year, career .309…. 83 OPS+ last year, 106 career. At the age where decline is likely…. how are you possibly cool with this as your number 5 hitter on a winning team? That’s absolutely terrible. A .276 OBP is unplayable even for an 8th place hitter who plays SS.
It’s not ideal, but the options aren’t plentiful. Adams can at least put the ball out of the yard, and that’s not nothing. I’d just prefer not to rush prospects, or deal any of consequence in a short season.
Good call. The Braves did indeed pick him up.
Go for it, Atlanta.
Would be a good pickup for someone. Just not enough playing time available with the Mets. He’ll find a home.
.276 OBP for Adams last year. He’s AAA material these days. Maybe makes the bench after an injury or two but he shouldn’t be any teams plan A, not even for the bench.
Yes, he had a down year last year, but he had three above-average years with the bat before that. I’d be willing to bet on a rebound, especially if he’s limited in his PAs against lefties.
Just not enough to bounce back to, in my opinion. Low career OBP, ok fielding first baseman, butcher in left. Maybe if a team exclusively needs a lefty pinch hitter and isn’t expecting much. More likely a guy you stash at AAA in case of injuries.
OBP isn’t everything. His career OPS+ is 106, and he’s a pretty good defensive 1B. He’s not that old, so a rebound back to being an average hitter is quite likely. At the very least, he should be a better bat off the bench than any AAA replacement would be.
he’s no more limited defensively than pete alonso
So true.
By the way, did those monkeys fly out of your butt yet?
Or CJ Cron.
With Belt out, the Giants may have a need for him. First base is thereost thin area. Plus, Belt has no pop. It’d be nice to have a forst baseman who could clear the yard every once in a while.