Led by new owner Steve Cohen, the Mets are expected to make at least one major splash during free agency. That could come in the form of outfielder Marcell Ozuna, whom they’re interested in signing, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports. They’re one of many teams eyeing the 30-year-old slugger.
Ozuna may be a luxury for the Mets, who already have a few offensively adept, outfield-capable players in Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and Dominic Smith. But at least one of those players could become a trade chip if the Mets sign Ozuna, and as Davidoff notes, picking the right-handed hitter up would provide some more balance to a left-leaning lineup. Of course, before Ozuna signs anywhere, he and the rest of the league may have to find out whether the universal designated hitter will stick around in 2021. Ozuna spent the majority of this past season at DH for the Braves.
Ozuna, also a former Marlin and Cardinal who has spent a large portion of career in the Mets’ division – the NL East – has always been an above-average offensive player. His production went up several notches in 2020, though, as he produced a remarkable line of .338/.431/.636 (179 wRC+) with an NL-leading 18 home runs in 267 plate appearances. Ozuna was also a Statcast darling, ranking near the top of the majors in a handful of important categories. It couldn’t have been a much better contract year for Ozuna, who’s not burdened by a qualifying offer and who MLBTR predicts will land a four-year, $72MM deal.
Mets, sign him before White Sox think about it.
Ozuna only makes sense if the DH stays… Otherwise, Springer would be the ideal option
I agree. Especially over 4 years.
I agree joeyrocafella. Especially if they are talking 4 years for Ozuna.
Springer is the OF they need. Sandy needs to prioritize defense in CF!!!!!
Right, he hasn’t played CF since his three game stint in 2017. But, if they lock him in, there are trades to happen… Hello Smith, Davis and Rosario for Lindor and Carrasco!
I suspect this is just a ploy to get division rival Atlanta to overbid.
Either that, or Sandy really hates bats with qualifying offers attached.
Wow. The Mets playing mind games? They better be careful they don’t fool themselves or else Ozuna is in a Mets jersey
Yikes… I remember him in center… he was a little too aggressive and balls got by him. I believe he is better suited in right.
Why would they choose Ozuna over smtih? If you want righty bats get realmuto or springer and keep smith.
The currently have a bunch of bats that play but don’t field particularly well, especially side-by-side. So, they probably are planning to move several of them to meet other needs (starting pitching) or to upgrade (shortstop). The current mix is untenable defensively unless they are all having career years at the bat. The on base machine that is Nimmo still takes poor routes to balls so playing him in center with a first baseman (Smith), a second baseman (McNeil), or a DH (Davis) in left makes things worse. If the Mets move some guys and get a left fielder with range and experience on the grass and a right handed bat like Ozuna, perhaps it could work, even if Ozuna can no longer throw. It’s not as good as signing Springer and moving Nimmo to left or using him in a trade, but Springer probably wants a deal that will take him beyond his useful life as a good center fielder anyway.
I think Ozuna benefits from being in a lineup where there’s less pressure on him. He had great years in Miami (with Stanton and Yelich) and Atlanta (Acuna and Freeman). He was ok but not exactly world-beating in St. Louis, where the only real offensive power was Goldschmidt (and only for one year).
He won’t have pressure on the Mets. They were a top 5 lineup without him.
That’s debatable. They hit for average, but no runs or RBIs. Lots of double plays. Lots of Ks. Hard to call them a top 5 lineup unless you’re looking at average alone.
Most advanced stats point to them being top 5
FanGraphs has them top 5 (in the majors, not just the NL) in OBP, SLG, wOBA, wRC+, and WAR. Are any of those statistics convincing?
But … batting average!
They were fourth in the division in runs and rbis. 2nd most strike outs in the division. They struggled with RISP on a consistent basus. Met fans can tell you, this offense has issues.
They were 12th in MLB in runs. So middle of the pack. For me, that’s the bottom line most important stat in regards to team offense. They could use some hitting.
But I’m not sure they need another outfielder. They also seem to have a collection of bat first type players.
I think the Mets are going to spend. I’d be surprised if it’s on Ozuna, however.
Top 5 of what?
jackass
You’re using runs scored in a 60 game season
Yes.
I am. That’s how long the season was. Unless it was the Cardinals. Whom – I should add – were one of teams the Mets outscored.
What am I missing?
What’s the point of getting on base if you can’t score? The Mets very clearly struggled with that in 2020.
If you get on base, eventually you’ll score. Getting on base is key. The rest will even out.
You should know why you can’t use the 60 game sample
Why, lol?
Because you don’t care for the result?
It’s what *everybody* had, bro. The Mets were (again) 12th (over a 162 game “sample”) in 2019, as well. In 2018 they were 13th.
It is what it is, bro. They’re a mediocre offensive club as currently constructed. It’s why I said they could use a hitter.
I really have no idea what you are trying to get at. Remember when you were talking about “facts”? Wellllll, *these* are facts, bro.
Yes, never any pressure playing in NY.
Ok but he was talking about a different kind of pressure
How did that top 5 offense work for you in the 2020 playoffs?
Is Ozuna really that bad defensively that the NL-DH change will impact him significantly? I haven’t wanted enough of him to know… but it’s not like he’s old — so unless he’s really a burden in the OF I would imagine he’s still quite healthy enough to play regularly in the OF. I guess seeing as the Braves chose to use him virtually exclusively as the DH is an indication that he may be that poor of an OF… but idk I mean until 2020 he had been playing RF (or LF) regularly — so I’d imagine he’s more than capable of doing so again going forward.
Seemd to go from an adequte CF to a Gold Glove LF then to someone who should be limited to a DH role in a matter of 5 seasons. Based on his stats, he was still a good LF in 2018-2019 (+6 DRS, 6.0 UZR/150, 7.2 range runs above average) but everyone seems to rag on his defense more than others I see.
His routes are really bad and he has no power or accuracy in his throwing shoulder since surgery.
Nailed it.
I don’t see it
Please don’t be the NL’s Angels. I feel like we already are in so many ways. We need pitching, not an outfield bat. Make a splash on Bauer, not Ozuna
The difference is mets have better pitching, although like angels those pitchers have health issues
Signing Ozuna does not prevent the Mets from signing Bauer.
Ozuna doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Mets unless they also bring in a quality defender for CF. If Alderson is serious about focusing more on defense, another season of Nimmo in CF isn’t going to cut it. That’s why I think Springer – while not an elite defender by any means – is the better fit (at least in relation to the current roster)
Springer the obvious choice but will be more expensive than Ozuna.
It makes a little more sense if signing him means trading Nimmo and/or Smith.
Mets currently have way too many left handed hitting left fielders in Conforto, Nimmo, Smith and McNeil. Conforto is the best defender currently, and very capable of playing CF, especially if he doesn’t have two infielders playing next to him.
McNeil has really improved and is fine in the outfield. The way he works to learn, it wouldn’t surprise me if he moved to CF in the spring.
I’ve followed the Mets for 50 years and just don’t see in Nimmo anything that warrants every day duty. He’s a great kid, brings great energy and enthusiasm and love rooting for him, but he often looks lost at the plate. OBP is over rated if it’s built on walks and nothing else. The just strikes out way too often to hit at the top of the order. He’s a #7 hitter at best who should be sitting against lefties in favor of JD Davis, who also hits righties very well.
Conforto in CF, Ozuna in LF with McNeil in RF is pretty darn productive and can cover some ground. Davis at 3B, Rosario, Alonso and Cano across the infield. I don’t see Molina leaving the Cardinals, Realmuto probably goes to the Yankees, so give a solid defensive catcher and turn to pitching needs.
The stats so far don’t really bear out Conforto being CF-capable. Granted, he’s played fewer innings there than LF or RF, but what he’s done in center in the past was pretty ugly (and that was my assessment from watching him daily – similarly to Nimmo, I think he’s overexposed out there and belongs at a corner spot).
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I agree that they shouldn’t be beholden to Nimmo as a starter, although I think he would be a good bench piece.
Davis is one of the worst defensive players in baseball. I’m very dubious on his long-term outlook with this team, especially if his offensive output is merely decent like it was this season.
I’m very much in favor of signing McCann.
What about trading Alonzo for pitching?
They would get a haul.
Smith to 1B.
Sign Springer for CF.
DH Cano.
Add Bauer.
Trading Alonso right now would be selling low. He needs to demonstrate better on-base skills and defense to be considered a legitimate trade chip.
Define haul.
Hello. Move Smith to LF and Ozuna to DH? I like this. Save us Savior Steve!
If Smith is a LF, DeGrom is a third baseman
I’d DH Alonso, who is terrible with the glove. Keep in mind there may not be a DH in 2021. Smith and Ozuna in the field is not a pretty sight. Maybe they package Smith in a Lindor trade. I love Smith though.
Who are the Indians adding to the trade? Smith>one year of Lindor at 21 mil. That’s just the way value works
Maybe some pitching depth.
Not a great fielder. Mets don’t have to the defense to cover that. Terrific hitter though.
Why sign an expensive, below avg defensive bat; at a position they already have reasonable quality depth???
Trade for Lindor.
Magicians use misdirection so do GMs.
About the only way this makes sense is if they know the DH will be around next season and they’re going to Trade Dom Smith.
No need for him. Plenty of OFer’s who can do the job. If universal DH put alonso there and smith at first
Flashes of Yoenis.
Ozuna had shoulder surgery a while back. I don’t know if he ever fully recovered. Also, he doesn’t cover much ground. The Braves have a larger than typical left field, and his shortcomings were exposed.
Is this a good idea?
How similar is Cespedes compared to Ozuna?
This strikes me as kind of a mediocre free agent class. Unless you are signing JT, who is the best at his position, I would stick to short term contracts. No Cole, Stras, or Rendon in this class, aside from JT.
They don’t need another poor fielding COF. Please no Ozuna.
Ozuna adds talent, but doesn’t solve a problem. Call me jaded, but I stll don’t trust NYM decision making unconditionally and want to see the whole plan, before commenting on Ozuna.
Quite sure they will not be sharing their whole plan with you, but if they do, please post it here.
Unless he can play CF or catcher, no thanks.
Mets don’t need Ozuna or Lindor they need 2 SP( Bauer and either Paxton or Odorizzi). Cf (Springer) , Catcher ( McCann) RP (Hand and Jeffress)
Laughing out loud rolling on the floor with my @ss off. All those names added up to over $100million a year. I didn’t even add ozuna or Lindor.
Agreed
Probably thinking of him playing LF if the Mets put Nimmo in a package for Lindor.
Relax. Just rumors. Mets will be attached to everyone. Cohen has money falling out of his pockets and the Agents smell it. He is not going to spend foolishly. Cohen didn’t get rich by spending wildly. Long off-season of mind games ahead.
Kind if surprising considering the Mets already have multiple DH types. Would seem to indicate additional moves if they signed him.
Ozuna seemed to have fun this season with the Braves (regardless coming up short). He lit up the clubhouse not just with his play but with his character. Yeah covid put a damper into revenue, but the Braves also have quite a bit of money that came off the books as well. 18 mill alone from hamels (7 mill left as they signed Smyly for 11mill) markakis off the books, melancon, Greene, ODay, and other smaller contracts. All this with really not so many holes to fill as the Braves do have options already being paid that can fill in for bullpen holes and succeed (Newcomb). AA has seen his total offering to the team as a positive that regardless of DH or not he imo will pay to keep him and play him in the OF and then if needed use Inciarte as defensive replacement in late innings. Yeah Waters and Pache will be up soon (Pache sooner) but makes total sense to keep him and sign him to the 4 yr deal (Dh will be in NL by the end) and then move him to DH when the 2 kids are ready. Plus during the term Inciarte contract will disappear too, kids go into OF and Ozuna to DH. Loaded offense while under the luxury tax threshold unlike the mighty dodgers and Yankees that spent to the max. Dodgers “barely” got past the Braves and their injury depleted pitching rotation! Add Soroka and another competent pitcher (healthy Coke Hamels) to this past Braves team and the mighty dodgers wouldn’t have gotten passed the Braves. All this and still well under the threshold.
I love how homers think. All these things went exactly right for us last year, and a few things went wrong. So next year everything will go right! More likely Soroka comes back, maybe Hamels, but Anderson has a sophomore slump or gets hurt, and it turns out 2020 was Freedie Freeman’s peak, they dearly miss Ozuna in the middle of the lineup, don’t get a miracle season from a highly sketchy bullpen like they got in 2020 … and end up about the same team (i.e. not good enough).
You know Mets fans these are rumors and that we will be hearing rumors like this one all during the offseason. The Mets are going to get a catcher (probably James McCann), sign Springer (who will be overpaid), and the big splash will be Bauer who is a top priority for them. They need pitching and if Cohen is going to get a guy and overpay him, it’s Bauer. I also think they will try to get Brad Hand and Charlie Morton.
Springer’s will be a bigger contract than Bauer’s (just because position players are always longer term deals).
Same old Mets? You don’t need another left fielder. However, resigning Conforto is a mistake IMO. Too inconsistent. Springer springer springer.
Resigning conforto or extending him? I am not a conforto fan.
Signing judge to a long term contract is a huge mistake. Always hurt!
Omg. You seriously wanna cause an international incident don’t you?
Conforto has proven himself the last few seasons. He’s definitely legit.
Conforto’s had 1 bad half in the last four seasons (which lined up with him working his way back from the shoulder injury). I don’t really see him as inconsistent.
Ok. He is consistently mediocre.
Getting colder.
Over the past four seasons, he’s 25th in the league in WRC+, 27th in OBP, 28th in fWAR, 32nd in wOBA. Not a superstar by any means, but certainly not mediocre.
If your definition of consistently mediocre is a clearly above average player, then ok.
Conforto being inconsistent is a holdover from his first couple of years. He has been consistent and excellent for 2 seasons now. He was mvp level in 2020.
Seems like the Mets are pretty much interested in everyone. Ozuna is a Met killer. They should get him for that reason alone.
Ozuna seems like he could be Cespedes 2.0 for the Mets. Probably better suited for an AL team
Agreed. Not sure he’s the player they should pursue. Considering they had a good offensive year, pitching and defense is what they should be focusing on. Bauer would be a nice addition and splash for the new owner.
Mets should take Keirmaier and Snell off TB hands. They would improve their CF defense immensely and then trade Nimmo. They could go after Lindor, Realmuto, leMaheui, Chapman, arenado as Right handed bats. If they get 2-3 of these guys then I could live with McNeil in LF.
Getting snell would take pressure off landing Bauer, but anyone pitcher would be great and then lugo goes to the BP.
I’m hoping Cohen wants to quickly build this team into a contender via FA signings. Since the pieces are slim to trade from, get the dependable, every day pieces they need from day 1 to compete.
1. Realmuto or McCann for catcher. Plan B would be Contreras from the Cubs. I like Nido, but we need one these three.
2. Sign TWO Sp – Odorizzi, Bauer
3. Clear the left handed hitting outfield logjam and get a true CF’er
4. Decide if Rosario is your future shortstop. If not, deal him for SP, C, Lindor or CF
5. Make sure we have an every day 3B. Stop experimenting and lick in starting positions. If it’s not going to be Davis or McNeil every day, go get one like Bryant, Franco (Royals) or some other true third base defender.
6. Kick the tires on Josh Hader. The Brewers have made him available and also have too many 3Bman.
7. Look ahead to the DH. If it’s this year or next, then hang on to one of Dom Smith or JD Davis. If not, we have to move one of them instead of playing them out of position.
8. Statistically, Diaz had a great year at closer in 2020. But do we trust him when it really matters? Does he trust himself? Hader along with Diaz would be pretty incredible and allows Lugo to spread out the rotation.
( 1 deGrom
2 free agent or trade
3 Stroman
4 Peterson
5. Lugo
5a Syndergaard
…that’s better than most teams’ rotations.)
9. Jettison the dead weight roster spots in the bullpen and on the bench. Mets need to quit ‘experimenting’ on reclamations and suspects because this coaching staff doesn’t ever ‘fix’ anyone. See Familia, Matz, Gsellman or any other player we pick up that was “…good just 2 or 3 years ago…”.
Tradechips like Matz, Rosario, Smith, Davis, Gimenez, Kilome, and Nimmo have to be cashed in.
Cohen can make this team competitive very quickly through free agency and by reaching out to the small payroll teams for quality pieces like the Orioles, Royals, Pirates and Mariners.
As always, when someone claims the Mets need a “true CF’er”, I have to ask, whom do you have in mind? There aren’t that many good fielding, good hitting ones around and even fewer available… it sounds good in theory but whom could they acquire that would present an overall upgrade? JBradley, jr, for example might actually be a downgrade once you factor in the loss of the bat he’d be supplanting…. and why are Smith, Nimmo and Gimenez “trade chips?”… aren’t they integral parts of the teams success?
Mets in on everybody! MLB will grant them both an A team and a B team.
Some things never change. News outlets need to sell papers and keep going to baiting Mets fans.
Seriously, look at the number of articles of all the guys the Mets are going after.
And look at this…another Mets LF?
Get used to it. The Mets and Yankees will be connected to everyone now for the next few decades. Even if there’s no logical reason to it, writers and fans are going to proclaim it, now that Mr. Moneybags is the owner.
It could be fun. Pressure on them more than it has already been for years.