The Mets have re-signed outfielder Travis Jankowski to a minor league deal, reports Andy Martino of SNY.
Jankowski, 31, now returns to the organization where he began his season, as he and the Mets also agreed to a minor league deal in March. He made the team on Opening Day and spent six weeks on the active roster, largely serving as a bench outfielder. Since he has a better reputation for his speed and defense than for his bat, he was largely entering games for pinch running and defensive replacement duty.
Unfortunately, at the end of May, he required hand surgery that was expected to keep him out of action for 6-8 weeks. Jankowski returned on the low end of that spectrum, spending just over six weeks on the IL. A couple of weeks later, the Mets designated him for assignment, as their trade deadline acquisitions squeezed him from the roster. He was claimed off waivers by the Mariners, but got into just a single game before getting designated again. His second DFA of the year resulted in him clearing waivers and electing free agency.
The Mets don’t have an immediate need for an outfielder at the big league level, as they have Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, Tyler Naquin and Mark Canha rotating through the playing time on the grass. However, there’s no harm in bringing aboard some depth to have on hand, should a need arise in the future. Jankowski has a .164/.281/.164 batting line on the year, between the Mets and Mariners. That’s not huge offensive production, but he has positive defensive metrics and three stolen bases in limited playing time this season.
Depth pickup is good, but rosters only expand to 28 on 9/1, so I’m guessing he wouldn’t be brought up then. It’ll probably be Dom and Megill when rosters expand.
He can potentially be a Quinton Berry/Terrance Gore type for the playoffs. Bring him up to play some solid defense and steal a few bags. Probably has more utility than dom smith in the playoffs. But I mean I guess it depends what dom does in September. I agree that Dom would be up, but I’d like to see maybe Vientos or Palka up. I think for pitchers they might toss up Peterson or maybe Nogosek?? I think Nogo would be up before September though.
Ironically, the Mets also have Terrance Gore in AAA right now.
You don’t need a base stealer in the playoffs. Not if they can’t get on base. He could have value as the ghost runner though.
Is the ghost runner for extra innings going to remain in effect for the playoffs?
Great question. I don’t believe so.
Really? That’s good. I didn’t realize they got rid of that for the playoffs. Hate that rule anyway.
I wouldn’t say Dom. Buck made it seem like he wasn’t coming back up here. He really has no place with vogelbach ruf and naquin.
Unless Dom is hitting again in Syracuse, I doubt he’s going to be up again this year. Canha and Vogelbach can both play 1B if Pete needs a day off or is DHing. I feel that whoever comes up would have to be bringing something to the table.
Several can play 1B, but Dom is the best fielding 1B of the bunch. I’m pretty sure they’d give him a chance in September. He’s meant a lot to the organization. Part of the reason would be to see whether it’s worth tendering him for any potential trade value if they don’t see a spot on the roster for him next year. I understand it may be difficult to evaluate him with limited playing time, but he deserves a shot.
I think that once they traded for two lefty hitters that can’t field that ended the Dom Smith era.
Playoff roster. 12 pitchers (4 starters, 1 starter on reserve for blowouts, and 7 relievers) with 14 position players: 2 catchers, Alonso, McNeil, Lindor, Guillorme and Escobar, Marte, Nimmo, Canha, Naquin, Vogelbach, Ruf and either Jankowski or another infielder.
Nick Plummer would likely get the call over Jankowski because Plummer is on the 40 man and Jankowski isn’t. But even more likely is carrying 13 pitchers.
Nick Plummer brings nothing extra to the Mets bench, they don’t need him. Jankowski or Gore bring speed, one of them gets the call. They’ll probably just DFA Plummer anyways if necessary, he was on a 1-year deal and he didn’t really catch on, I don’t think he comes back next year.
Naquin covers their speed needs off the bench. I would call up Vientos and Alvarez in September and see if they can contribute in the playoffs.
Eppler must have read @Camdens posts and finally saw the light.
Should be Vientos called up when Rosters expand
So the Mets got the equivalent of Brandon Marsh for a minor league deal and not giving up their best hitting prospect? Nice. Would argue Jankowski is better defensively as well. Tad tongue in cheek as I know Marsh hits slightly better and has some pop but…..