In a move that slipped through the MLBTR cracks, the Mets have reportedly agreed to a minor league contract with IF/OF Arismendy Alcantara.
Alcantara, 27, spent much of 2018 in the Mexican League after being designated for assignment by Cincinnati in late 2017. The versatile Dominican, who’s appeared at six positions during his four-year MLB tenure with the Cubs, A’s, and Reds, figures to be in the utility mix for a Mets club that’s been on a depth-piece binge for the better part of the offseason.
The 5’9 switch hitter burst onto the national prospect landscape after a strong 2013 showing for Chicago’s AA affiliate, slashing .271/.352/.451 with 31 steals in 133 games. A solid follow-up the next season left the then-22-year-old poised to become the charter MLB member of Chicago’s burgeoning minor-league crop, but big-league pitching soon stopped him in his tracks. Alcantara slashed just .205/.254/.367 in his first stint with the Cubs, and never seemed to regain his upper-minors mojo in subsequent demotions to AAA.
The Cubs quickly soured on the switch-hitter: a June 2016 trade sent Alcantara to Oakland, where he received scant opportunity with the parent club. The Reds picked him up the following year, where he scuffled through an injury-riddled campaign before being jettisoned in late summer. Alcantara did show promise in last year’s Mexican League stint, and still boasts considerable upside, given his both-sides power and ability to hold down multiple defensive forts, if he can somehow recapture his mid-decade form.
Wasn’t he signed months ago?
did you read the article?
I’d say 80% of the people that post on here don’t read the articles…
I’d say 20% of the people actually read the articles and less than that read the comments
This was a good depth move by the Mets. Nice find.
What are they paying in the Mexican League these days?
Ty, or anyone, know of a good resource to follow U.S. players in the Mex. League and the salary situation? Laredo, TX, where I was born, has a sweet setup with the Nuevo Laredo, Mexico Owls (please don’t ask me to spell it in Spanish) playing half their games on the U.S. side. They draw big crowds too!
Milb.com has the Mex League stats but not sure about salary
OK, thanks Ty. I will get my lazy self off the couch and do some research. I do love MLBTR. Awesome website!
Can’t be much less than the minors pay
Kenny Powers raises all contracts by 20%
This is the greatest signing in the history of the team
Mets’ Cracker Jack front office executive “TC” made this gem of a find. The team will announce tomorrow that it is also signing Jose Reyes so that he can be Alcatra’s mentor. “Jose has always displayed such great footwork—except last year—so we are giving him a chance to redeem himself”.
Yankees too boring for you, Mike? You bitter old man.
.880 OPS in AAA last year. Not a bad minor league signing at all
How did it slip through the cracks? Wasn’t it reported on twitter or some other site?
This site seems to be particular about which sources they will use before reporting news and also particular about getting. verification from other trustworthy sources, and I for one don’t have any issue with that. Generally speaking I would rather my news be later and accurate than early and wrong.
Alcantara was a great contact hitter until he managed somehow to hit a couple out of Wrigley. After that he swung for the fences every single time. Hopefully he’s matured a bit and can succeed with the Mets.
I was hoping the A’s were going to strike lighting in a bottle when they traded Coghlan for him.
i am certian i saw this move on this site prior to this article.
Definitely towards the top of my list for best baseball names. I wish I could have heard Harry Caray pronounce Alcantara’s name. It sure was fun when Harry would announce the Cubs new pitcher as “An-TO-nio AL-fon-SE-ca” back in the day.
I did hear about this around the time it happened, but I’m pretty certain he’ll be in Syracuse. There are at least five position players on the 40-man including three regulars who can [or are slated to] play multiple positions ahead of him. The quick ranking I’d give would be 1. Lowrie 2. McNeil 3. Frazier 4. J.D. Davis 5. T.J. Rivera 6. d’Arnaud (primarily backup C but slated to get appearances at other positions) 7. Dom Smith (primarily backup 1B but will play OF) 8. Guillorme before anyone invited to ST.
I think J.D. Smith makes the 25-man because of his bat and ability to pitch in an emergency. I think T.J. or Guillorme may make it because they don’t have any other true backup shortstops on the roster. Dom may come north until Peter Alonso is cleared for another year of control.
J.D. Davis, not Smith. Oops.
@phenomenalajs
Since Mets don’t have a lefty hitter for guaranteed bench spot, Alcantara could have an advantage if has good spring. There will be one or two open bench spots depending on bench size – 4 or 5 and who becomes the starting first baseman.
Assuming McNeil is starting right fielder, Lagares, Broxton and d’Arnaud take 3 spots. If Frazier doesn’t open as first baseman, he takes the 4th.
On 5 man bench, that leaves one spot for Davis (if isn’t starting first baseman), TJ Rivera, Dom Smith, Alcantara.
One of Frazier, Davis, Alonso and Smith will be opening day first baseman – with Frazier being the most likely.
That paves way to carry both Davis and Alcantara or another left hand hitter to round out 5-man bench.
Kenny Powers put the Charros on the map. Now everyone wants to play in Mexican league
I don’t like his walks to strikeouts ratio. Even in the minors. He can hold himself back. I hope he is a great fielder because I don’t want to see a rally-killer in my lineup even if I am Tony DeFrancesco in Syracuse. A predict a spring training sale to the Mexican League or better yet Japan or Korea.
Meant it say he CAN’T hold himself back from Swinging
Why do these teams waste time with players that have proven they can’t cut it at the major league level I understand minor league depth but you can find that anywhere give another guy a chance