Outfielder Johneshwy Fargas has returned to the Mets, the player himself announced on Twitter. (First cryptically, then more directly.) It can be safely assumed that this is a minors deal, due to the fact that major league deals cannot be signed during the ongoing lockout. The 27-year-old was eligible to sign such a contract due to the fact that he was outrighted in October and then elected minor league free agency in November.
Fargas made his MLB debut after the Mets selected his contract in May of last year to help shore up the club’s outfield after a number of injuries. However, after just seven games, Fargas landed on the IL himself, with a left AC joint sprain. After returning to health in July, he was optioned and then designated for assignment, being claimed on waivers by the Cubs. He bounced on and off the Cubs’ roster down the stretch, ultimately getting 15 more MLB games under his belt. Between the two organizations, he finished the season with 54 plate appearances in 22 games, hitting .250/.264/.385 in that small sample.
His best tool, however, is his speed, as evidenced by his 47 steals in High-A in 2018 and 50 in Double-A in 2019. Despite injuries limiting his playing time, he still racked up 18 steals in 2021, between Double-A, Triple-A and the majors.
The path to playing time in the Mets’ outfield might be steep, as they made significant upgrades before the lockout, adding Starling Marte and Mark Canha. Those two and Brandon Nimmo are likely to get the bulk of the outfield playing time, with Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis around to step in from time to time. Although that latter trio have been mentioned as possible trade targets, the club also has Khalil Lee, Nick Plummer, Mark Vientos and Travis Blankenhorn on the 40-man roster as depth options. However, if they were to suffer a rash of injuries like last year, Fargas could potentially rejoin the MLB club as a speedy option off the bench.
The Mets need a guy like Fargas. Hes not going to hit any homeruns but hes a great line drive hitter. You need guys on base if your gonna score, dont always need to hit a homer
Totally agree with your comments. We need more line drive hitters in the game.
But this player doesn’t get on base much. They’ll only need him if a couple guys get injured. He’s a AAAA player. And OBP is actually one of the team’s strengths already.
Exactly. Maybe a poor
Man’s Billy Hamilton…….
With a name like “Johneshwy Fargas” it’s hard to NOT root for this guy to make it in the bigs.
NOt that spring training games mean much, but I was watching a Mets game last spring and this guy hit for the cycle.
He’s a good depth piece for any organization. Reminds me of Willie McGee, just not a switch hitter.
Of course, speed and defense guys are considered dinosaurs or unicorns today. No agent places any value on one base at a time.
But in the Mets case, having another true centerfielder on the roster is a positive, especially if Khalil Lee gets called up or dealt. Welcome back.
Difference is that McGee was a very good player
@Cosmo2
We can see how he can remind someone of Willie McGee. They both played CF. The only difference was that McGee had MLB All Star talent and Fargas… [crickets chirping]