Brandon Nimmo will make an in-person appearance at the Winter Meetings on Tuesday, adding to the intrigue surrounding his market. As the top center fielder available, Nimmo has been publicly linked to the Mariners, Giants, Blue Jays, Rays, and Yankees, and probably several other unknown teams have also checked in on his availability.
Despite all this interest, it remains possible that Nimmo might remain in Queens, as Mets GM Billy Eppler told MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo and other reports that the Mets have continued to have “dialogue” with Nimmo and his representatives. As the offseason got underway, reports surfaced that the Mets were prioritizing re-signing Nimmo and Edwin Diaz from their large pool of internal free agents. Diaz, of course, re-signed with New York before the free agent market even officially opened, inking a five-year, $102MM deal to remain with the Mets.
Nimmo remains available almost a month after Diaz put pen to paper, though that isn’t surprising given the large amount of interest in Nimmo’s services, and the possibility that his next contract could top Diaz’s dollar figure. Also, Scott Boras is Nimmo’s agent, and Boras usually encourages his clients to fully test the open market before considering circling back to their former teams.
Pitching has been the chief focus of the Mets’ offseason to date, with Diaz re-signed and now Justin Verlander agreeing to a deal with the Amazins today. While the Mets continue to look at more rotation candidates, it stands to reason that with an ace pitcher and a star closer now checked off the winter to-do list, Eppler and company can now turn more attention to addressing center field.
The Rockies are one team that no longer seems to be pursuing Nimmo, as both Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette and Nick Groke of the Athletic feel the club isn’t a fit considering Nimmo’s desire for a long-term contract. While the Rox are looking for outfielders, they would prefer a shorter-term option so that any of the club’s top outfield prospects (i.e. Zac Veen) don’t get blocked. To this end, Cody Bellinger continues to be an Colorado’s radar, as Bellinger is reportedly only looking for a one-year contract in order to re-establish his market.
Mariners need to lock up nimmo. Show rest of free agents they are contenders and players in the free agent market
He and Julio would be fun to watch out there together. And at the top of the lineup. Although I would be lying if I said I didn’t have concerns about his offensive profile long term. I fear last year was about his peak there give or take 10-20 hits (certainly his peak in the power department); and I have a feeling his contract will require him to keep that production up or it could look bad.
Even if you cut off Nimmo’s best season, 2018 (he was a spare OFer in 2016-17), he’s still a 3-4 win CFer who’s as healthy as he’s ever been after getting out from under the Wilpons’ “medical staff.”
He projects to about 13.5 WAR over a 6 year contract, making 6/108m reasonable, and he has the skill set to warrant a spot on the 26 man roster in years 5 and 6, even if he declines significantly.
Given the scarcity of very good starting CFers, I’d be content giving him 6/120m as Seattle, but he’s all wrong for the Mets, who even with a $330m payroll will be shy a strong #3 in their postseason rotation.
They shouldn’t really be in the bidding unless their payroll is going north of 360 million dollars.
Nimmo is going to get a lot more than that. He is the only other top level CF FA after Judge + Boras is his agent. 7/150 is probably more in the ballpark of what he will get. The law of scarcity and the huge dropoff in CF talent after Nimmo will lead to an overpay. The Mets should be the team to make that overpay. A season with Marte in CF is not the answer. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Nimmo is set up for a huge payday.
Just curious– what gives you that impression, SodoMojo? He’s been pretty consistently productive both offensively and defensively in his career and his statcast page is filled with red numbers. Outfield jump is by far his bluest and it’s not even that blue.
I just look at his career as a whole and he’s always been the defensive first guy. He’s had a great last 1000 plate appearances or so but other than that he’s got the nice looking ‘18 season….my fear is basically that he will be overpayed as a two way star when I’m not quite certain that’s what he is going forward….especially with a move to our ballpark.
That career OBP is pretty sparkling though and went overlooked on my end. I digress.
Fair enough! I think the overall on base skill will translate well enough long-term that his AAV wouldn’t become a huge albatross, although I can understand the hesitancy when considering how he’ll age and whether or not he’s a two-way star for the long haul or even right now.
I would love to have him in Seattle but at a certain price point, of course. I think we badly need to add one more bat to the mix.
I think basically anybody who doesn’t overwhelm me with offensive prowess coming to TMobile is a scary thought. We’ve just seen it time and time again, man. The borderline hitters come here to fall off the cliff. He’s clearly an above average offensive contributor, and I’m probably reaching a bit here. It’s just a little scary to me.
Nimmo has actually been one of the Mets most valuable players. I still say with that combo of high obp, mid tier power and good contact he is one of the best leadoff hitters in mlb
OBP plays in any park
Dipoto and gang love players with a robust OBP- they seek out players who don’t chase bad pitches. Mariners fans have heard this FO preach “control the zone” since their first season in 2016. This exactly what Nimmo will give you.
The M’s didn’t have any issues getting on base last yr, their problems stemmed from driving in those RISP. The M’s had 42 men LOB over their 5 postseason games. Santana alone had 14 LOB during those 5 games!!
I’d (obviously) love the M’s to sign Nimmo but its vital that they also seek out an INF/DH type who is a run producer. Josh Bell comes to mind.
Agreed. It seems like his contract would come with a length and rate ownership is comfortable with and he certainly fits Dipoto’s “control the zone” mantra. I think he’s a perfect fit if he’s willing to move to LF.
Is Hahn at the Winter meetings?
No White Sox news!
Yes and he’s trying to do another Kimbral type trade (my contract for your contract) with Hendricks. Worked so well last time.
Won’t be the Mets.
I’d rather have Bellinger or Benitendi
Bellinger is the best fielding CF on the market, but he cannot hit at all anymore, but the talent is there somewhere. Just needs to be unlocked. Mets seem like a perfect fit. At the very least, you get a good defensive CF.
This Team Stinks.
Nimmo signing with Giants. Just waiting for Judge to go to NY
I know they haven’t been mentioned, but if the Astros got Nimmo, could you imagine how dirty that lineup would be with his OBP skills?
Altuve
Nimmo
Bregman
Alvarez
Abreu
Tucker
Pena
That would a nasty top 7, and extremely balanced RLRLRLR
I completely agree with this lineup
However I would bet money the Astros don’t move Pena out of the #2 spot after last season.
That puts Nimmo 7th behind Abreu regardless of what anybody thinks the lineup should be.
Another player awaiting Judge to sign.
I have never heard the phrase “Amazing” before
If Mets were prepared to let Jake walk, then they can let Nimmo walk too.
Even if you cut off Nimmo’s best season, 2018 (he was a spare OFer in 2016-17), he’s still a 3-4 win CFer who’s as healthy as he’s ever been after getting out from under the Wilpons’ “medical staff.”
He projects to about 13.5 WAR over a 6 year contract, making 6/108m reasonable, and he has the skill set to warrant a spot on the 26 man roster in years 5 and 6, even if he declines significantly.
Given the scarcity of very good starting CFers, I’d be content giving him 6/120m as Seattle, but he’s all wrong for the Mets, who even with a $330m payroll will be shy a strong #3 in their postseason rotation.
They shouldn’t really be in the bidding unless their payroll is going north of 360 million dollars.
The Wilpons medical staff, they haven’t owned the team in 2 years. Must suck to be jealous
It’s going to be interesting to see who the sucker is that will regret this Nimmo contract after 2 years.
It’ll be interesting to see which team he signs with, if for all the speculation of which prospects they attach to unload him in the future.
Kinda hope he signs with Colorado and plays 75 games a year over a 6 year 165 deal.
Absolutely love Nimmo. Great person. Plays with more hustle and love of the game than I’ve seen in some time. However, give me Bellinger or Benentendi and sign Senga. Payroll, despite JackStrawbs BS claims is around 220 now. Adding Senga and Belly would be around 250 plus arb guys still around $275M. Plenty of room to enhance the pen. Would love to see what Chavez can do with Bellinger
All this speculation gives me a headache.
I never understood the interest surrounding the off-season. I like it better once they sort out their FA signings and the lineup takes shape for the onset of Spring training. Give me the actual game, not the hot stove b.s. and financial aspects. I’ve got enough stress without having to worry who winds up where. That has never interested me. I’m all about the love for the actual game. I couldn’t care less who ends up where.
You’re on the wrong site then.