4:02pm: New York has announced that it has picked up its options over both Cabrera and lefty Jerry Blevins.
Blevins, 34, was an easy call at a $7MM price tag (with a $1MM buyout). He has turned in consecutive sub-3.00 ERA campaigns for the Mets. In 2017, he ran up 12.7 K/9 (on a career-best 12.7% swinging-strike rate) against 4.4 BB/9 on the season, holding lefties to a miserly .195/.250/.205 slash with his fastball-curve combination. (Alas, Blevins was not so successful against right-handed hitters, who knocked him around for a .288/.447/.545 batting line.)
1:22pm: The Mets are set to exercise their $8.5MM club option over infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, tweets FanRag’s Jon Heyman. Reports over the past month have suggested that the team was likely to do so, though there’d yet to be a firm indication that the team had definitively elected to do so. Their alternative was a $2MM buyout, meaning it boiled down to a $6.5MM decision for the Mets.
Cabrera’s option looked fairly likely to be declined late in the season, but a blistering hot finish likely helped to bring about this outcome. As of Aug. 23, the soon-to-be 32-year-old’s OPS sat at a dismal mark of .705. However, over his final 132 plate appearances, Cabrera caught fire and turned in a .366/.435/.607 slash with five homers, a dozen doubles and a 20-to-15 K/BB ratio. The massive uptick in his productivity boosted his season-long production with the bat from 10 percent below average to 11 percent above-average, by measure of wRC+.
The switch-hitting Cabrera also demonstrated his value to the Mets by showing a willingness to play third base in the wake of injuries around the roster. While he didn’t necessarily shine as a top-flight defender, the Mets were reportedly pleased with his aptitude at the new position, and defensive metrics felt he was at least passable there (+1 Defensive Runs Saved, -2.5 Ultimate Zone Rating).
Given the uncertainty surrounding the Mets’ infield mix heading into 2018 — David Wright’s injury status is a complete unknown, while Neil Walker was traded in August and T.J. Rivera underwent Tommy John surgery — Cabrera gives the Mets some stability and some offseason flexibility. The fact that New York likely feels comfortable with Cabrera playing either second base or third base widens the range of targets the team can pursue this winter, rather than forcing GM Sandy Alderson and his staff to zero in solely on a third baseman or a second baseman.
Due to a variety of factors, I thought this one was 50/50, even though for most other clubs it would be near 100% chance option’s picked up.
The real question is what they do with Jose Reyes.
the very talented blue jays couldn’t win with Reyes in their locker room then they get rid of him and go to the Alcs 2 years in a row 2017 mets were supposed to be World Series contenders they ended up 22 games under 500 . Marlins 2012 had Hanley Ramirez mark burhle Stanton josh Johnson Jose Reyes they were supposed to be a playoff team they ended up 30 under 500. Biggest collapses in history with reyes in 2007 and 2008.
1)The blue jays were 50-50 when they got rid of Reyes in 2015 they ended up finishing 24 games over 500 that same year.
2)2007 and 2008 biggest collapses in history
3) after the Rockies aquired reyes in 2015 they got 20 games worse that same year.
4)2012 Marlins one of the biggest underachieving teams in MLB history were supposed to compete for playoffs instead finished 25 games under 500 with reyes
5)2013 blue jays were picked to finish with 90+ wins and win AL East instead they finished in last place with reyes.
6)2017 mets underachieving disaster
7)since reyes the virus arrived cespedes numbers have gone downhill
Jose reyes is the rare person who is a virus that destroys every team he is on mentally ill bleaching his hair laughing non stop including when the team is losing. His unhealthy personality messes up everyone’s timing and makes guys lose urgency without them realizing it. Worst move in mets history bringing back that virus.
you forgot to blame Reyes for the 1989 SF Earthquake and the War in Syria
I really hope they don’t bring Reyes back, and it has nothing to do with his DV history.
Guy only batted and is about to be .246/.315/.413 this year and will turn 35 in June. While that’s not horrible for a bench bat, it’s fair to assume his production is only going to decline given his age and he can’t play anywhere but 2B now.
he was wost than that much of the year.
the very talented blue jays couldn’t win with Reyes in their locker room then they get rid of him and go to the Alcs 2 years in a row 2017 mets were supposed to be World Series contenders they ended up 22 games under 500 . Marlins 2012 had Hanley Ramirez mark burhle Stanton josh Johnson Jose Reyes they were supposed to be a playoff team they ended up 30 under 500. Biggest collapses in history with reyes in 2007 and 2008
1)The blue jays were 50-50 when they got rid of Reyes in 2015 they ended up finishing 24 games over 500 that same year.
2)2007 and 2008 biggest collapses in history
3) after the Rockies aquired reyes in 2015 they got 20 games worse that same year.
4)2012 Marlins one of the biggest underachieving teams in MLB history were supposed to compete for playoffs instead finished 25 games under 500 with reyes
5)2013 blue jays were picked to finish with 90+ wins and win AL East instead they finished in last place with reyes.
6)2017 mets underachieving disaster
7)since reyes the virus arrived cespedes numbers have gone downhill
Jose reyes is the rare person who is a virus that destroys every team he is on mentally ill bleaching his hair laughing non stop including when the team is losing. His unhealthy personality messes up everyone’s timing and makes guys lose urgency without them realizing it. Worst move in mets history bringing back that virus.
It’s not a coincidence that 3 months after reyes is around the team familia all of a sudden has a domestic violence issue. reyes is toxic and terrible for a team which is why mets had the biggest collapses in history. reyes laughing and unhealthy presence makes guys lose their timing and compettive edge Which is why bluejays started to win the second reyes was released from the team.
“It’s not a coincidence that 3 months after Reyes (sic) is around the team familia (sic) all of a sudden has a domestic violence issue.”
So you are suggesting that Reyes told Familia to hit his wife? Unless you have some evidence to that effect your comment is libelous and defamatory as well as stupid.
“Mr. Flaw, please sit down. We will let you make your closing arguments when we want them. Further outbursts will cause you to be in contempt of this court.”
“Further outbursts will cause you to be in contempt of this court.”
Eh, I’ve been threatened with contempt several times, nobody had the time or the stones to follow through yet.
“We will let you make your closing arguments when we want them.”
Got a ferret in your pocket? Who’s the “we” you speak of? Even appellate courts, where multiple judges sit at the same time, eschew the royal “we”.
“ . . . please sit down.”
I was sitting. Did the fact that several comments herein have been removed by site admins escape your notice? That’s a clue, son. The question is whether you’ll fight this one to a draw like all the others.
There’s no draw. You take yourself way to seriously and your superiority complex apparent to all. This site is mlb trade rumors not MLB legal-eze.
And your disrespect calling me son makes a really poor ASSUMPTION. Coming from
An egotistical lawyer, I’m highly surprised.
Re-reading this string I find it interesting that the only thing that makes sense major flaw is the use of such an accurate identity that perfectly describes your abilities and personality.
In no particular order….
“ . . . calling me son makes a really poor ASSUMPTION.”
Yes, it assumes that you are familiar with the old Foghorn Leghorn cartoons. My bad. Although age-wise it’s gotta be close to accurate.
“ . . . the use of such an accurate identity that perfectly describes . . . “
Been using this handle for almost twenty years now and neither I nor anyone I’ve argued/feuded with has been able to figure out that my UN could be made into a joke. No, really, you are the first.
“An egotistical lawyer, I’m highly surprised.”
Got stereotypes?
“ . . . your superiority complex apparent to all.”
Were you appointed site spokeshole while I wasn’t paying attention? Have you been authorized to represent some undisclosed group? You have this silly habit of presuming to speak for others when you are only speaking for yourself, using “we” when only “I” applies. Do you think that pretending to speak for unnamed others strengthens your argument? Too bad you don’t have the requisite confidence to speak only for yourself. Besides, I’m a Richard Feynman fan. Not interested in winning popularity contests, it’s the substance what counts. Cheers.
Nothing that you post is in any particular order which is a trait of ranting. BTW this blog is not 20 years old so you have given away your identity elsewhere on the internet. Very loose for a real attorney.
We’re not interested in your pontifications and details of your life. This is a blog for MLB trade rumors, period. Take your legalese somewhere else. Maybe an anger management class or seminar to help with you dealing with your control obsessions is something to pursue.
Back to baseball.
“BTW this blog is not 20/years old so you have given away your identity . . .”
One strong reason for doing the homework is that it spares you from saying things as blissfully uninformed as the above. My identity has been “out” for more than ten years, One could argue that it was never “in” to begin with. And after outsurviving the fellow what outed me I have little concern about protecting my ID. Every/any one else coming after me would be a picnic by comparison.
“Very loose for a real attorney.”
Sure would have been, had it been accidental or a mistake. Really, I’ve dealt with this issue at much greater depth than you assume. Much of which is easily findable.
“We’re not interested . . . “
Once again you presume to speak for some group while actually speaking only for yourself. What you are interested in is completely irrelevant to me and every other meaningful purpose. Talk about being self absorbed, why in the world would I care what you want or are interested in.
“This is a blog for MLB trade rumors, period.”
Jeebus, mikeyank, you can’t even get the easy stuff right. Does this site not cover the June draft? How about free agents? Which teams make and which players receive qualifying offers? Front office hirings and firings?Just a few examples which demonstrate that your declaration, “trade rumors, period” is far from true.
“Take your legalese somewhere else.“
Go scratch. Far as I can tell we’re on equal footing here. You look foolish and weak attempting to exert some sort of authority here when you have none. Feel free to ignore me completely if it makes things easier for ya, but I’ll stay and comment as I please and the site rules allow.
“Maybe an anger management class . . . “
An incognito GM and a psychiatrist. Where did you do your residency, doctor? Surely you aren’t presuming to diagnose people without any medical qualification for doing so.
Ah, yes. Back to baseball.
I feel pity for your shrink. If you don’t have one, I feel pity for everyone around you. You are a self absorbed jerk. Get a life because you have none.
You can tell all that from a handful of comments at a baseball site? Well, aren’t you special. Whereas your comments, of course, have been nothing but fair and reasonable. I’m willing to rest on the record, counselor.
It’s entirely possible to argue with someone without insulting, them or presuming to psychoanalyze them. You might wanna try it some time.
Sounds like there’s a pattern here folks. Sounds like this is highly toxic anywhere he goes. I say cut him and move on.
There is no real uncertainty about the IF. They (certainly) lack ML level starters at all the IF positions except (hopefully) SS. A few others might hit the Wilpon standard of “passable” but that has you competing to get out of last, not for first.
Overstatement. Cabrera and Flores are most certainly major league caliber hitters, and they both play 2B adequately. 1st base is also covered since Flores can play 1B if Smith flounders. If anything, whether Rosario will hit or not this year could be a bigger question mark than either 1st or 2nd right now.
The only real hole is 3rd base, and thats only on the defensive side. With a rangier shortstop on that side of the IF, it might not be as impactful as it was last year. They know they need an infielder and its on their agenda.
Your last point is dead on – the team should be better, but first place is still a reach.
ML caliber players, yes, but not starters – certainly not even baseline starters, which should be the floor at almost all spots for a team that says it plans to compete. Anyone who’s had interest in these 2 guys over the past year was thinking of them as backups (not starters). You commit to both Cabrera as a regular at 2b, and Smith/Flores at 1B, then OK – but PLEASE don’t pretend you plan to compete (only that you hope to). Of course, if they substantially upgrade at 3B and C, the equation changes some. But there doesn’t appear to be any chance of that. .
Correction:
First place will be out of reach. At Best the club will be .500 and depending on the phils and marlins, expect them to be third or fourth place at Best.
The good news is that all of their dream rotation pitchers’ contracts will continue to cost the Mets more as arbitration years squeeze them and even extended DL stays will not limit them banging the Wilpon’s.
How is there any uncertainty with David Wright? He will continue to try to rehab and whatnot, but he will NEVER take the field as a player again. I think we all know that.
Yeah. There’s certainty about his uncertainty.
He’s your starting third baseman going into opening day. There is no Plan B.
1. Stanton will be traded, and he’ll accept the trade.
2. The team will absorb the contract.
3. Marlins will get 3 non- prospects.
Moron the astros won the World Series because they have talent you either have talent or you don’t every team with reyes underachives he is a massive virus
Both moves are essentially no-brainers. Blevins was always coming back. Nothing to keep the Mets from moving Cabrera later this offseason.
The Mets #1 offseason need is to get healthier. Healthy and productive Syndergaard, Matz, Cespedes, Conforto and Familia will go a long way towards restoring the team’s fortunes.
Better infield defense is the team’s second priority. I read on Brian Joura’s site how the Mets porous MI defense cost them 65 runs last year. That’s roughly 11 games. Considering the team won 70 games last year, that’s the difference between them and .500. They have Rosario, who should be an improvement over anybody else that played short last year. The rest of the infield is a question mark. Dom Smith was unimpressive and shouldn’t IMO be counted on at the beginning of the season. I would give 1B to either Wilmer or TJR. At second, I really like Luis Guillorme, but he may be in the same boat currently as Smith, i.e. Not Ready. Dee Gordon would be a good fit here. Third base has been a black hole since Wright disintegrated. I like Todd Frazier as an option, but his low BA and high K-rate are disturbing.
Finally, and like just about every other MLB team, their bullpen needs shoring up. Blevins coming back and a full year of a healthy Familia will help. Bryan Shaw or Joe Smith may be looking to follow Mickey Callaway over from Cleveland. Steve Cischek was on the Mets’ radar when he was in Miami, now that he’s an FA, he should be again.
Getting “healthy” isn’t an off season strategy, it’s an in-season hope. Injuries happen, to all teams and especially to guys who have a history of them. Good teams prepare for injuries by upgrading the weakest areas of the team so they’re not reliant on one aspect of the team to win, and where possible adding depth. The Mets went into last season with out having upgraded a single aspect of their team, and they look poised to do that again. That, not inevitable injuries, will be why the amateur draft will again be the highlight of season for Met fans.
I would have pocketed the 8 million and let Carbera walk. He is just not a difference maker, he is aging, his defense is suffering and we have a boat load of middle inflelders.