Veteran Ryan Doumit, who played last year for the Braves, “considers his playing career over,” according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). The 34-year-old switch hitter logged 166 plate appearances last year in Atlanta, slashing just .197/.235/.318. He has had many more productive seasons in his decade in the big leagues, of course, and owns a lifetime .264/.324/.432 batting line. Doumit also spent significant time with the Pirates and Twins after being drafted in the second round of the 1999 amateur draft by Pittsburgh. While it appears that Doumit will not look to make a return to the bigs, the wording of the report suggests that he is not yet prepared to make an official retirement.
Here are some NL East Notes:
- The Marlins’ interest in Rafael Soriano is tied closely to his cost, according to a Twitter report from Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. As things stand, Miami is only willing to bite if it can add him “at a low price,” per the report. It is not terribly surprising to learn that the Fish are not prepared to break the bank at this stage for the veteran righty; as the initial reports of interest suggested, the club is looking at all options to deal with its late-inning relief woes.
- Mets GM Sandy Alderson says he is not currently interested in adding a shortstop,Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports. “Nothing has changed,” said Alderson of the team’s current daily deployment of Wilmer Flores. That is not terribly surprising given the timing, of course — to say nothing of the fact that Alderson would not be likely to broadcast any interest he did have — but should at least function to curb any immediate speculation about the possibility of a Troy Tulowitzki blockbuster.
Given Doumit’s track record, the scarcity of good catchers on the market last winter, and the fact that he’s only 34 years old, I’m surprised nobody at least tossed a minor league deal his way.
Doumit wasn’t much behind the dish defensively, but he saw some time in left. He had his moments. I’m guessing he just decided not to continue. I can appreciate a guy not playing out years in AAA.
Yeah, I really liked how the Twins used Doumit as a bench guy; switch-hitter with power, can DH, play a bit of catcher, corner outfield, and first base. He was never good anywhere defensively but his bat, versatility, and cost made up for that. The Braves used him to pinch-hit almost exclusively and that was a rather big role change, which I think had more to do with his slash line last season than his age. He would not have been a bad bench piece to check-out out of spring training, especially for an AL club, and as you say on a minor league deal.
He can’t catch
Alderson’s quote is somewhat vague.
Jeff’s commentary probably applies to this situation.
I would characterize it as highly unlikely that the Mets don’t have interest in a Tulo deal on some level.
I can’t see the Mets having serious interest in Tulo, too much money and too many injuries. They are experiencing the same thing with david wright.
They have interest in every single available SS who could improve upon their current SS situation. That doesn’t mean Sandy’s lying when he says there’s no move in the immediate future, since the team really should give Flores a longer leash.
I agree with you paqza.
Flores has not been horrible overall, he has made a few errors in big spots that have obviously stood out as a result.
They’re giving Flores this long leash as they have no other real alternative. Their best option is in AA at the moment.
(1) Man the Marlins seem to be giving up on Cishek awfully quickly, unless there’s something physically wrong with him, in which case he should just go on the DL.
(2) Flores’s play should not be a reason Alderson looks to upgrade the Mets’ SS position. His fielding has not been great but I would not call it dreadful, and his bat has been more than adequate. Don’t give up on young players with potential after a month. Besides, Tulo’s not worth anywhere near the enormous amount of money he’s due in light of his injury history, especially if the Mets are going to have to give up a player of consequence to get him.
Tolo is not worth it. He is a player who always gets injured and who in a couple of years will be a third baseman. I think the person who makes sense and one who would add speed in the line up is Jose Reyes. The blue Jays need picthing and the Mets have it. I wouldn’t trade any of the top prospects but I would include Montero, Nise, and two B+ level prospects.
Hah!
So you dont like tulo because he is injury prone and yet you want jose reyes? Btw, the jays only want someone that will help them this year, not prospects.
I don’t like Tolos 24 million for the next 7 years. He is a guy who is a future third baseman at best and at worst a DH. Also, since the mets have pitching and since teams like the Nats, Cardinals, are rich in picthing it means there will be lots of 3-2 games therefore you don’t need a guy who either hits a home run, or strikes out. The mets need a guy who can hit at the top of the lineup who has a goI’d glove, and who can work the count and steal bases. The only other guys are Reyes, Segura.
Not sure where you got Tulo’s contract numbers from but it’s 20M each for next 3 years then drops to 14 in last 2
By then he would be a 33 year old who will have to move to third base. Third base is already taken so where are you putting him?
Who says he has to move? Or that Wright’s shoulder allows him to stay at 3rd?
When you present opinions it is better to not state incorrect facts
Narrative is harder to build with facts.
Say whatever you want it’s your opinion.
Is that your approach?
I don’t have a mathematical approach I go to Met games almost every week and although this team isn’t hitting they don’t need another home run or bust guy. They need speed.
I think the Mets need productive hitters. Tulowitzki is super productive, and becomes even more valuable when you consider how much better he is at hitting relative to his peers at shortstop.
The older, higher paid, and defensively inferior Reyes?
Tulos defense is fine, im not sure why you think he will be suddenly moved to another position? Hes more than serviceable. With his bat and demanding position, he could arguably be one of the best players in the game if healthy, which validates his salary. Are you also implying jose reyes is good defensively?
The Mets need speed on this line up not a guy who strikes out all the team. Look at how the Royals are built.
The royals are built around their pitching mostly.
So when Hosmer kept striking out who did they have running the base paths aggressively. That’s right guys like Cain, Dyson, Escobar
Speed is a great thing to have, but you have to realize the royals have made the playoffs once in how long?
You proved my point. if the blue Jays aren’t in contention before the trading deadline boy you could trade all those guys that you have for some good prospects hence the Astors, and Mets.
Reyes is currently in the most expensive portion of his back-loaded deal. Wouldn’t mind him back, but that’s a steep price.
I just don’t like the idea of the Mets being handcuffed by his contract. I think the whole reason Sandy hasn’t spent a whole lot of money or given a long-term contract is because he’s getting ready to extend the young guys like Harvey, Duda, d’Arnaud, and eventually deGrom, Wheeler, and hopefully the prospects. If the Rockies can eat some salary I would give them Matz, Plawecki, Dom Smith, and either Niese/Gee or a pitching prospect like Fulmer or Molina.
They would want DeGroom at the top of that deal.
Sad to see Doumit go out like that. Surprised the DBacks didn’t take a chance.
As much as this hurt to say …… Wilmer Flores has been about league average according to Fangraphs. His defense is slightly above average. There is that.
…. and very close to Tulo in 2015