The Mets have signed outfielder Travis Jankowski to a minor league contract, per a club announcement. Jankowski would earn $1.25MM upon making the big league roster, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. The team also formally announced its previously reported minor league deal with lefty Chasen Shreve.
Jankowski, 30, appeared in 76 games with the division-rival Phillies last season and posted a solid .252/.364/.351 batting line through 157 plate appearances. Jankowski seldom played in a full game last year but was regularly used as a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner and as a late-game defensive upgrade for the Phils. It’s easy enough to see why, as he can play any of the three outfield slots and carries a career +15 Defensive Runs Saved and +8.5 Ultimate Zone Rating through 2356 innings of defensive work at the MLB level. Statcast pegged Jankowski’s average sprint speed in the 88th percentile of MLB players.
Originally a supplemental first-round pick of the Padres back in 2012 (No. 44 overall), Jankowski has seen Major League time in parts of seven big league seasons — five with the Padres, plus a brief 2020 look in Cincinnati and last year’s showing in Philadelphia. He’s a .239/.322/.318 hitter in 1151 plate appearances at the big league level and a .321/.411/.385 hitter in 619 Triple-A plate appearances.
Barring injuries and/or trades of current players, Jankowski won’t have an immediate path to a big league roster spot with the Mets. New York currently has Mark Canha, Starling Marte and Brandon Nimmo penciled in as the starting trio, and bench players like J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith have ample experience in the outfield (as does second baseman Jeff McNeil). Younger players like Khalil Lee and Nick Plummer are ticketed for Triple-A and are already on the minor league roster.
That said, it’s widely expected that the Mets will be open to moving either Davis or Smith in the coming days and weeks, which could lead to an opportunity for a speed- and defense-oriented role player to make the roster. Even if Jankowski winds up heading to Triple-A to begin the season, he’s a nice depth option to have on hand, as virtually no team in the league will get through the season without some injuries in the outfield.
JD Davis and a catcher gone. Either a starter or middle relief acquisition.
Kenley Jansen will be a MET by end of week
That could happen
I agree on JD Davis but we are already short on quality catchers so I can’t see that happening
I never understand these asinine predictions. We’re pretending we’re psychic now? So dumb.
JD Davis is Justin Turner v2.0
I swear it is only MLBTRADERUMORS that promotes the trades of JD Davis and Smith.
Trading one or more of Davis, Smith, and McNeil is a recurring subject on BNNY, Mets Hot Stove, and the sloppily-written blogs (Metsmerized, AmazingAvenue, and the former MetsBlog at SNY), not just here. They aren’t the most consistent and reasoned discussions. The loud mouths from sportsradio who rotate through BNNY aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer while the blog writers vary in both their writing and analytic skills. It’s been discussed. Perhaps you’ve missed it because you have better taste in Mets news sources.
That’s our rebuttal to Schwarber… great
Lol you guys made tons of moves to start the off-season before the lockout. The Phillies have made two basically. Not everything needs a response, you’re considerably better than the Phillies on paper right now.
Rebuttal to what? Who?
What a weird way to look at baseball.
Schwarber is the answer to Marte
Schwarber is an embarrassing fielder, Jankowski can field & run. Give this guy a chance. 1.5, a bargain
It’s not a rebuttal it’s a depth move.
That’s not how that works
Local guy. Went to my college. Very fast, but not a great hitter.
I admittedly know nothing about this guy, but his minor league numbers were pretty solid. I’m surprised those, along with his reported defensive abilities, haven’t earned him more of an opportunity. Former first round pick seems to have been written off before he was given much of a chance.
He had a real rough first day with the Phillies last year. Getting picked off in an extra-inning situation. Outside of that blip, I liked what he brought to the table. Definitely not a reliable hitter, but a good late-innings replacement and/or pinch runner.
Stoner Brook
Seawolves teammate of Nick Tropeano, former Met from last season. Good luck to him. Glad he found a seat before the music stops in this shortened season of minor league musical chairs.
Most likely the shuttle guy between AAA and MLB when they have injuries.
Janko from Lanco, would’ve loved to see him back on a minor deal with Philly this year. hope he has a good year but his big league club falls flat on their face
Good. Keep the OF and pitching depth coming.
Mets biggest need right now is left handed relief. I think Tony Watson and/or Andrew Miller get signed this week.
Mets don’t ‘have’ to make any deals if they aren’t to their advantage. There will be plenty of opportunities for playing time for Davis, Smith, McNeil and Guillorme.
Injuries, health issues, outfield age, double switches, extra innings, routine days off, the DH, ped fail…there isn’t any need to unload a guy just because it’s fun to talk about.
Mets need two lefties in the ‘pen which will require two fringe guys to clear through waiver on the 40.
I agree the Mets need to do something with a LHP. However, with the advent of the 3 batter rule, I feel like having two LOOGYs is not really necessary these days. Relievers need to be able to get guys out on both sides of the plate.
Internally, I think the Mets would like Szapucki to fill one of those spots. Going into 2020, he was a highly thought of prospect and he’s still on the radar. 2022 will be sort of a “make or break” season for him in my opinion. But he certainly has the stuff to be a dominant reliever or a 4-5 back of the rotation starter.
Externally, there’s not much left in the free agency pool, so they’ll need to make a trade if they’re to bring in something worthwhile. I think they let the season get started, see what they have, and maybe look for trades closer to the deadline.
I was watching Jankowski last year and it looked to me like he should be starting
2012 first round pick, almost elite speed, and he plays above average CF. No power but he’s always been a really good OBP guy
.322 OBP with no power… not good enough to start. But a good depth signing.
But .364 OBP last year
He’s not repeating that though. He’s a very good OF depth piece especially because he plays CF.
Smith will probably stay for his left-handed bat and his defense at first base went Alonso is DH. I really don’t see him going anywhere.
He did a funny April Fools Day joke a few years ago, pretending to be a Padres Team Store employee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTUpTII0kLk