4:34PM: A deal between Bautista and the Mets is “close,” according to SNY’s Andy Martino (Twitter link).
TODAY, 3:59PM: The two sides are still working towards a contract, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reports (Twitter link), and it seems if “they should have an answer one way or another as soon as today.” There could also be more than one team interested in Bautista’s services.
YESTERDAY: The Mets are “showing interest” in veteran slugger Jose Bautista, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post (via Twitter). The 37-year-old is back on the open market after being released by the Braves over the weekend.
It is not clear at this point how the Mets would envision utilizing Bautista, if a deal comes together. The veteran had lined up at third base for Atlanta, though there won’t be an opening at the hot corner in New York once Todd Frazier returns from the DL. Bautista would potentially represent a right-handed-hitting corner outfield option while Yoenis Cespedes is on the shelf.
Of course, it could also simply be that the Mets see Bautista as a possible upper-level depth piece. Whether he’d be willing to sign without at least a plan in place to return to the majors, though, is not immediately clear.
Clearly, things did not turn out as hoped for Bautista with the Braves. He had managed only a .143/.250/.343 slash over forty plate appearances in a dozen games. Though he was drawing walks in over 12% of his plate appearances, Bautista had gone down on strikes in three of every ten trips to the dish — far above his typical levels in that regard.
All that being said, it’s clearly too small a sample for the numbers to say anything definitive, and the Mets’ front office may believe there’s still some cause for optimism for a player who was not long ago one of the game’s best hitters. Plus, the fact that he is up to speed at third, and could still be used at first base or the corner outfield, does give Bautista some added versatility. The right-handed-hitting Bautista could fit reasonably well on the Mets’ current roster, which features a lefty-heavy outfield and southpaw-swinging veteran Adrian Gonzalez at first base.
WHY ???????????
Bc they lost an outfielder and catcher ?
And they took in Cody Asche a few weeks ago. You’re telling me you’d rather have Bautista? At least Asche has a chance to be a decent bench option.
Asche has a career 83 OPS+. Bautista’s last year was just 77 but at least he has a recent history of being an above average player. So yes, I’d much rather have Bautista
This shows why you’re a reds fan…..
You should call yourself out for that witless comment.
Yes, Asche is a career 83 OPS+ player. However, you seem to be ignoring the fact that Bautista has been declining at an alarming rate in that same caterogy over the last 4 seasons. You can’t honestly sit there and tell us you expect a rebound to early career form for Bautista. There’s no reason for the Mets to go fishing on a bad player when they can just select the contract of a bad player they already have.
Hey Birch—he’s a perfect signing for the Mets. Guaranteed to play as well as the aging Jose Reyes.
I would pick Asche over Bautista too. Last year may not seem all that long ago but the guy had 686 AB and if you count his AB with the Braves he has had 726 of under 80 OPS+. Look at his splits from 2017 and you see he hit over 200 just one month. Asche is probably close enough in batting value that you might have to have the right glasses on to prefer either but I guess in the end I would go with youth in this case.
Early career form…You mean when he was a backup infielder for the primates?
Asche also has just one season with a positive WAR. I’m not saying Bautista will even be good, but I’m saying given the choice between the two, I’d take him. I would pretty much never want Asche on a Major League roster.
“Yes, Asche is a career 83 OPS+ player. However, you seem to be ignoring the fact that Bautista has been declining at an alarming rate in that same caterogy over the last 4 seasons”
And yet you seem to ignore that Asche has never posted even a league average OPS+. His last 4 years were 94, 90, 69, -3…..Bautista was 145, 118, 77, 63. Bautista has shown that he can be at the minimum a viable replacement player/bench piece who can hit for power and draw walks. You talk about Bautista’s regression….but Asche never really regressed because he was never good.
That’s exactly what I was trying to say
Bautista and Reyes are buddies. I’m sure they’re happy.
Big-market team owners, with a “small-market” mindset
Right!? Its freaking annoying. Cost them the World Series.
Winning the WS was an afterthought. Profits to invest in real estate is their primary motive. Getting to the WS in 2015 satisfied their main objective.
His acquisition would cost league minimum and maybe sell some tickets. If they get lucky, he hits some home runs and they sell some jerseys. Exactly the kind of move a team makes when it realizes it can’t compete.
That’s all the braves were paying
They had a minor league deal
Or who sign someone that’s nothing but a sideshow….Tebow
We agree. I didn’t scroll down.
Thanks, how anyone can say otherwise is just nuts. Love the downvotes and I’m surprised there isn’t more 25+
“Maybe sell some tickets.” Are they gonna put him in the ticket window? I sure hope you didn’t mean otherwise.
“Maybe” as in, if he hits some home runs, Mets fans will pay money to see it. Not that hard to understand. Then again, you are a Mets fan, so not sure what I expected…
W
While his performance was in a small sample size, it’s also worth noting that his bat’s been declining for a while now, so it’s still very much worth worrying about. I’d honestly pass on him, a declining bat with subpar defense really isn’t worth it, even with the recent injuries to the Mets.
Right. Those who think picking up Bautista is a good idea should consider that he sat on the open market until late April for a reason – nobody wanted him due to his steep decline. What are the odds his stats trend back upward?
Never said it was a good idea but they’re desperate
Yeah, no thanks…and to think not too long ago we were wondering to do with all our outfielders… :/
And all your pitchers…..
If this happens, who goes down, and would they need to DFA someone (who you thinking)?
Lobaton.
I hope Reyes!
With Cespedes yoga not working out too well, I say sign him.
Why? Because he’s inexpensive. Cheapo Wilpons again!
Anyone free is good for the Mets. That’s why Jose Reyes is still on the team. I know that they are paying him more than minimum but in small mind Jeff and Mutt they got a bargain. Their whole theory is to buy cheap.
Who cares that they get cheap. Haha
We need a right-handed bat, either off the bench or just play some outfield
Dave Kingman is known to be available……
So is ed Kranepool
Why are they so cheap? The phillies, braves, and in a few years, the marlins, will be running the NL east. They have a few intruiging young pieces, but the overall outlook of the farm seems a bit bleak. Go all-in this year, trade for Machado or Donaldson, (Preferably Donaldson, as the jays would be easier to work with) Add a few relievers and a back-end rotation piece, and trade away Syndegaard, Degrom, and Cespedes to replenish the farm next year. Best case scenario: Win a world series. Worst case scenario: Contend for the playoffs and have a good shot at making them in what could be your last year of contention.
aggressive
definitely Machado. Donaldson is it in age and is guaranteed on a decline.
So bring all these guys and then trade away your two stud starters. I honestly don’t know how to come at that. It’s that stupid. Who ya gonna give up to get Machado or Donaldson? Oh maybe Syndergaard or deGrom? Ok who’s gonna pitch… who’s in the minors to replace them? You should have your keyboard taken away
I know you’re a troll and all, but come on man. Read the comment next time.
I don’t understand your post. I can’t imagine in any scenario where the Mets or any team would make the kind of naive moves you’re suggesting. Baseball in reality does not work like this.
This just in the Mets are showing Interest in every player that the Braves have released recently.
Kelly Johnson next?
Bautista is worthless except maybe to a crappy team that’s going nowhere, in a big market with two teams and a “little brother” complex.
To a team like the Mets (or the White Sox), the name recognition might sell a few tickets, move a bit of merch, and grab some headlines for a week. And it really costs them nothing (no more than any other minor leaguer, really).
Blow their MO:
-boycott the Mets and DONT buy tickets.
-avoid any Mets gear and let the team and players suffer.
-avoid SNY and watch their rating plummet.
Embarrass the Wilpon’s and force them
To sell.
You think that’ll make them sell. You are adorable
Hey dummy-
It’s the best strategy for the Mets.
It’s really sweet of you to continue to offer blind loyalty to such a hopeless franchise who’s owners are pathetic.
Maybe you will see differently once you have your meds changed.
Jose Bautista, Todd Frazier, Jose Reyes, Asdrubal Cabrera, AND Jay Bruce? The Mets have a lineup that could make a serious push for the 2013 World Series
With Bobby V as manager and TC as first base coach
Nolan Ryan on the mound too with Tom Seaver
Why not just put Flores there for the time being? The guy hits ok and gets so little respect
“Of course, it could also simply be that the Mets see Bautista”
“according to Mike Puma of the New York Post”
Slow Monday in the Big Apple.
I’m a Joey Bats fan… I’m here for this… If for nothing else than just depth at an all-of-a-sudden thin OF (I mean they put Dom Smith in RF in Vegas so this can’t be any worse)
Nothing wrong increasing Smith’s defensive options. It’s smart use of talent including strong arm. He’s lost significant weight, added muscle, is looking fit and isn’t that far removed from his high school days also playing. some outfield. Before he gained all that weight, pre-draft scouting reports indicated he had the tools to be outfielder in pro ball.
.
Wouldn’t he be better as a DH?
That sure does show off that minor league depth.
He’s done.
They are showing interest to figure out how a guy can fall off the face of the earth so fast and hard. as Bautista has. He is useless and how it took the Braves so long to discover that, after no one else signed him this winter, is just as big a mystery too.
Other team makes minor league depth signing: “ok cool”
Mets make minor league depth signing: “AHHHH THE WORLD IS ENDING WHY WOULD THEY DO THIS?!?”
Personally, I don’t understand why the Mets don’t go for a full on rebuild. Trade away any valuable piece that won’t have high upside in 3-5 years (degrom comes to mind) and start building for the future. As they are currently built, they have no chance to do anything of significance this year and the future doesn’t look much better. Time and time again, teams have shown recently that the way to win is to tank for a couple years and build through the draft. You would think the Mets would love this as it would save them a bunch of money.
has anyone figured out . the mets are the baby of new york .. and the yankees are the adults..
yankee play with dollars and credit cards .. mets play with coins..
yankees belong in a big market. . mets belong in las vegas.
I thought Bautista was worth a look in ATL but that look was a nightmare. The Mets are looking at PR. Expect Tebow in a Mets MLB uniform too.
Bautista is not a PR move. His time has come and gone. If Mets have any interest it’s because they are exploring right hand hitting, 5th outfield bats having lost Lagares for the season and Cespdes to the DL.
Tebow started as PR move and for his reputation as fine role model.
But he’s also making significant improvement and could potentially reach the majors should he continue to develop and deserve a call up. He has a ways to go particularly on defense and in putting the ball in play far more frequently.
Hey long time…Tebow is a song and dance. Put a bobble head on him and sell T-shirt’s. The rest is simply laughable.
No matter the actual production, the Mets are only shopping at garage sales looking for something to re-brand. Rick Harrison better be on the lookout for counterfeiters.
Shot player.
“All that being said, it’s clearly too small a sample for the numbers to say anything definitive”
He was terrible in 700 PA last year. That’s a pretty good sample.
Hahahahaha. What’s going wrong with the Mets that’s this bad?
Hey haha…the answer to your question, what’s going wrong with the Mets that’s this bad?”:
EVERYTHING
I think it’s really weird how you start everything with “hey [commenters name]…”
I hope the Mets get him. Would Be an easy strikeout every time the braves face him lol
Small sample size? Do the 686 AB from last year count for anything because I kind of feel like counting his 40 AB as a Brave like it’s an extension of his production from then 2017. It looks like to me getting a 700 OPS out of the guy is wildly optimistic. Also, whether you put him in RF or 3B, he has the defensive range of an ant mound.
To be fair, he had absolutely no time before his Braves stint to get caught up. Will he bounce back, probably not. But he was set up to fail in Atlanta. His best chance to become a productive player again is to hit AAA pitching for a year and see where he’s at going into next season
It’s never about the team or the player, but (saving) dollars and (lipstick on a pig) optics. Here, they see a chance to add a name at a low or nominal salary.
Room and board in exchange for peanut vending?
So the Mets will set a record for platooning in 2018 ???
done deal
Will Bautista still be around to face Matt Harvey and the Reds in early August?