The Mets are signing infielder Danny Mendick to a one-year, $1MM contract, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN (Twitter link). Mendick had hit free agency after being non-tendered by the White Sox at the end of the season. He’s an Icon Sports Management client.
New York will be the second career organization for Mendick, who entered the professional ranks as 22nd-round selection of the White Sox back in 2015. A UMASS – Lowell product, he played four-plus seasons in the minors before breaking into the majors late in the 2019 campaign. Mendick played a part-time role as a light-hitting utility infielder for the next couple seasons, posting a .239/.298/.342 line in 340 plate appearances through the 2021 season.
In a brief look during the 2022 campaign, Mendick flashed some more interesting offensive production. He was off to a .289/.343/.443 start through 31 games. That production was built on the back of a probably unsustainable .352 average on balls in play, but he’d done enough to warrant an increasingly larger role in the middle infield. Mendick briefly looked as if he might seize the primary second base from Josh Harrison, whose tenure with the Sox started slowly. Unfortunately, his season was cut short when he tore the ACL in his left knee in June.
That proved to be the end of his White Sox tenure, as Chicago cut him loose before he could get a chance to return from the injury. Whether he’ll be healthy enough to crack the Opening Day roster isn’t clear, though the Mets like him enough to guarantee him an offseason 40-man roster spot in any event. New York certainly isn’t hurting for infield depth after agreeing to terms with Carlos Correa. Mendick still has a pair of minor league option years and can be sent to Triple-A Syracuse freely for a couple seasons.
The $1MM guarantee is barely north of the league minimum. The Mets will pay a 90% tax on that figure thanks to their luxury tax status, making the actual payment for them $1.9MM. Mendick has between two and three years of MLB service, so he’ll be eligible for arbitration for at least three seasons after next if he shows enough to hold a spot on the New York roster.
Mendick 🙂
Any chance his parents named him Danny Luvs..??
Not all
Trickle
Anna Lapwood is a TikTok organist.
Britney Griner?
Good thing they saved 5mil trading McCann; otherwise, this might not have been possible with their tight budget..!!
Met’s are tight wads now. Cheapskates!
It costing them $19 mill to get rid of him!
Big loss for the Chisox fans. Especially the die hards who have a son named Danny! You know who you are, lol.
Why? they have Guillorme and Escobar right now + Batty and Mauricio
Depth
Someone has to pick-up the takeout food for Correa and Lindor.
BREAKING NEWS: The Giants are still not over, the pretend signings of Arson Judge and Taint Correa.
Not so breaking news.
Arson humor is so old it’s just ash.
@gfan- I’m sorry, still salty? I understand. It’s going to be ok.
Not salty just waiting for anything new from your constant recycled comments
Captain- You must have a pretty sad life that you need to come gloat on a baseball website comment section about your local sports team hiring someone that theirs didn’t. So cool. Thumbs up.
Go easy on him.
He’s only 12
Mendick did an excellent job filling in for all the injured IF last season. He got better and better until he played better for Moncada at third when he was injured and for the phantom second baseman. His hitting picked up, too. But, like with Madrigal, once he got hurt the Sox dumped him. He could have been the second baseman the Sox so desperately need, but the Sox bailed instead.
“Mendick did an excellent job filling in” Agree 100%
Spot on it’s what the WhiteSox do! Good luck to him.
Hey avenger65, maybe your boys could offer Moncada to the Mets, for Mendick – straight up? Nah, probably wouldn’t work- Moncada has negative value. You only have the great Moncada for 2 more years, for ‘only’ $40M. Nice contract.
He can be sent to the minors. It’s a depth move.
Syracuse is a nice place to spend the summer.
Plus, Mendick is from Rochester.
Mets are now paying their AAA players $1 million.
I imagine Escobar is on the first flight out of New York that the Mets can find
Mauricio will not be in the majors until late summer at the earliest. If they don’t trade him first.
I imagine Escobar will be traded soon.
That would be dumb. Him and Vogelbach would combine for a DH platoon capable of 30+ homers and 100+ RBIs. When McNeil has his annual IL stint, Escobar can play some 2b. Guillorme can’t get hits with men on base to save his life so I hope they keep Escobar around.
Immediately reinvesting the McCann savings I see 😉
Dude gets a lil money and it’s burning a hole in his pocket.
Dudes a grinder I hear. Would’ve liked him on the Os
Grinder! Mendick! Nice one
And the roster sits at 42 again. Heck of a bargain grab here but this is just getting silly. The infield is pretty crowded and his two games in the OF say he is not the 4th outfielder. Mendick is nice depth and plenty of options to DFA but feels like a trade is brewing
Sorry but your last sentence brings some hysterical laughter from the 13 YO part of my brain
I think I missed that one.
Probably because you’re a mature person.
No wait. I got it. I’m getting old. Lol.
It’s completely juvenile but I snicker at how his name was printed in his school yearbooks.
Anyway, Danny’s a good ballplayer. Had some nice games with the Sox.
Lol. We traded our ManGum and signed a MenDick. Geez.
The next move is to sign Jurkison Profar…gawd
May as well grab Brad Hand too.
Ohhh noo…lol we’ll grow up one day
Better to have someone else but that combo can get the job done.
Baty has to be moved to outfield or 2b? Definitely of though. Otherwise trade him. Dbacks wanted him for Thomas. Do it now maybe?
Left Field. Arm looked good there last year with a few assists. Needs to spend time in Syracuse now for sure to prep I think. Could end up being 4th outfielder but seems unlikely now. I really hope he isn’t traded unless it’s absurd – yes more absurd than signing Correa.
Why would the Mets even bother with prospects anymore? Let other clubs develop them and then just buy them 5-6 years later.
@hiflew: at a minimum, they probably won’t need to bother with prospects on the left side of the infield for a couple of years. Both Correa and Lindor are locked up beyond 2030.
Yes. This is the next step towards disaster. Start trading all the prospects.
100% correct. This is exactly why I like what Correa adds but hate the possibility of trading talent. They said they wanted to follow the Dodgers model. That means infusing the team with youth as well on the cheap. Medick is a sneaky move with 4 years of control but cannot trade everyone. Baty and Alvarez need to stay at a minimum
What prospects have they traded?
Baty will be gone in the package to get Ohtani.
I hope not but I would live with that one as long as it’s an extension. FA next year. Obviously money doesn’t matter. But Ohtani is exactly the more absurd I was referencing
I wonder if this will be a split deal. They just cleared a space for Narvaez by trading McCann. They’ll have to DFA or trade players to make room for Ottavino, Correa, and this guy.
Damn I forgot Otto. It’s 43 now. There has to be a trade brewing. There are a few options to drop but not sure I see three obvious ones as most if not all questionable holdovers are bullpen options. I assume Khalil Lee is gone alone with two BP guys unless a trade comes soon.
They will probably just dfa him tomorrow. That’s couch cushion change. Mendick is seems like a solid player, I was stunned the Sox let him go.
He can’t be DFA’d before he’s officially on the roster and it wouldn’t make sense to do that. It’s possible that they could DFA someone else to get him on the roster then put him on the 60-day for his torn ACL as soon as they are able, but I don’t know if that can happen before Spring Training. Eppler will need to do some roster gymnastics.
I also saw he tore his ACL in June. If he’s not fully ready to play, I suppose they could DFA someone to put him on the 40-man then move him to the 60-day as soon as they are able to open another roster spot for one of the signees. Can players go on the 60-day before the start of Spring Training?
Good call. Yes the 60 day allows you to hold a player. Totally missed that.
Players aren’t eligible for the IL until day 1 of ST (when pitchers and catchers report.) If the Mets sit at 43, then I also feel a trade is coming soon, otherwise we will see some DFAs and other roster gymnastics soon.
Since they’re redundant with the Correa signing the Mets should now package Vientos, Mauricio, and change for the Marlins Pablo Lopez. The Mets need another starter who you actually WANT to start in the postseason, rather than say throwing Quintana into the breach b/c one of the front three is hurt.
Only THEN deal Carrasco. You’ve both improved the rotation’s ERA, you can reasonably project the 27 yo Lopez to throw more innings in 2023 than Carrasco, you’ll probably win a few more games with Lopez, critical if you hope to win the East, and if you only make the post as a wild card seed you’ve got another stud, one who’s more likely to survive a 4-round postseason intact.
Lopez faded in the month after the ASB as you’d expect from a guy aiming for his first season of more than 120 innings, then picked it up and closed 2022 with 6 ER in 26 innings across 4 starts. He and Senga can anchor the middle of the rotation for the next half-decade.
You’ll also have a much longer chance than any other team to evaluate and extend a very good young pitcher while not waiting for two of your top prospects, now surplus, to fade in the minors.
Lopez is a contender’s ideal mid-rotation guy. 32 starts and 180 innings in 2022. 119 ERA+ for 2020 through 2022. He’s currently 26 and would be part of any long term plan, assuming the team has one beyond Cohen lurching after the next FA bauble.
giving up waaaay too much for a number 3 or 4
But they aren’t worth as much to the Mets as Lopez would be. Just because prospects are valuable on paper in a vacuum, does not mean they are equally valuable to every team. Most of the Mets prospects are less valuable to them than they would be for a team that is starting.
Think of it as selling apples. The market price is great in the beginning, but at a certain point all of your valuable apples will be sitting and rotting away on a bench. And then they will be worthless. Better to take slightly less than top dollar while they are still fresh instead of getting nothing once they have rotted away.
I think they’re holding on for a trade deadline acquisition. Ohtani is Cohen’s goal. I can see a Hendriks trade though with Baty, Escobar…etc.
that would be a failure. Vientos and Mauricio are the two that really are expendable here but neither is elite. Hendricks would be a great add but not at a Baty price tag.
@hiflew by that same token wouldnt Lopez value also be diminished because what are the marlins playing for? He really is not a need for the team because they will not be competing probably for a couple of years unless everything breaks right for them and by then Lopez would be a free agent if not sooner since he hitting arbitration for 2nd year this year. Lopez would have a bunch more value for the Mets and Mauricio or Vientos would have a lot more value for the Marlins as they are cheap and cost controlled for what another 4 or 5 years each.
Mauricio is also if i remember a top 50 if not 25 MLB prospect and plays SS. I believe most people say SS could usually move anywhere but Catcher or Pitcher as they are usually more athletic. So he would be valuable to other teams raising his price some.
Baty, Alvarez and Alex Ramirez aren’t going anywhere. They’re part of the core plans for years to come.
Vientos and Mauricio are the prospects to watch for in trades.
This is the move that finally breaks the bank! The mercury just burst!
Like actually how big is their 26 man roster.
Bigly
They say with Mendick size doesn’t matter.
You can show yourself out now…
That is a big signing. Impressive.
It’s not the size that matters but how they’ll use him
Cohen dumpster diving now. Absolutely disgusting.
LMFAO
Steve Coupon. #cheap
Gahtammit!
Mets are at it again !
Now this is just getting ridiculous 😉
Oh, THIS one is the ridiculous signing?
hiflew: LOL! It’s all make believe. We’re all going to wake up tomorrow and the Wilpons will still own the Mets…
Only if we can flip back to Frank McCourt still owning the Dodgers as well.
Late night Met shenanigans again I feel it…Cohen is still on a rush after last night he ain’t stoppin!!
Thank you Mets. I am not sleepy yet.
Decent pickup. Danny was a solid regular his last two years in the respectable AEC. Power didn’t materialize until he was too old to be considered a real prospect, but he’ll hit one out about as often as Canha.
1.4 rWAR per 162 games, or 1.9 rWAR per 650 PA. That’s pretty good for your backup’s backup’s backup.
Btw, how does a kid survive 4th grade with that last name?
Might as well have called the poor guy “Sue.”
Might as well have called the poor guy “Sue.”
There was a kid that sat in front of me that everyone referred to as “Master”. I had no idea why until I found out his last name was Bates.
This is getting out of control.
I’m scared. I see a lot of rumors about Eloy Jimenez and Liam Hendricks. Vientos sure. Mauricio? Ok. McNeil? No. But……..
I would have no problem seeing Vientos and Mauricio go. Vientos, I think, could be a solid player on a bad team but Mauricio is a bit overrated/-hyped.
Couldn’t agree more. However, hoping the philosophy of building through the system doesn’t diminish or go away. Would like to see the few that can make an impact with the team make it without being blocked by free agent signings going forward. It’s critical that there’s some level of home grown identity existing on the team and in the lineup.
I’m wondering how teams will now approach the Mets, and if they sense they can/could pillage the farm system for tempting trade offers of established players in the majors. A good example is Hendricks and if the Mets would be tempted enough. I know Eppler and Cohen have said to be focused on building a solid farm system, but Cohen strikes me as someone who also seeks instant gratification…and apparently at any cost.
The guy built a $20 billion empire. It didn’t happen buying lottery tickets. He’ll be patient with the farm system.
oh I totally agree. Fine for both to go as long as its not another PCA for Baez deal. I just meant that I fear outsmarting themselves and moving McNeil as a cost savings thought in a broader deal that really isnt needed.
At this point the roster is more than ready to go and they can absolutely wait it out to see what is truly needed. If you can get Hendricks for Vientos or Mauricio and a lotto, ok. If not, Robertson, Otto and Diaz should be able to handle most of the 7-9 duties with Smith, Raley and others filling in a few days per week.
What rumors?
Twitter – search Hendricks name and Eloy pops up a lot too. Not saying anything here is credible but they exist. Someone threw some smoke.
You get a million, and you get a million, and you get a million.
Interesting signing, especially for the salary given. Wonder if Mets have explored a Guillorme trade?
This is an absolute great signing by the Mets. Mendick, before his injury, was great! As a backup/utility infielder who can start for a short amount of time if one of their starters get injured and still put up solid numbers…. The question is, will he return from his knee injury at full strength.
Solid depth assumably on IL60 to start so no roaster move now. NYM rival NL EAST titans have proven to have much better depth and recourses in upper farm.
remember when keith hernandez went crazy over hiscox insurance? This will be 10 times better cant wait!
I’m a bit confused about the 40 man roster. Aren’t they still over?
Think they are Von. Haven’t officially announced Narvaez, obviously Correa – and I believe Ottavino has yet to be officially announced. Maybe that points to even greater likelihood they deal a Baty & Vientos type as part of larger package for an impact name. But what do I know with this madness
correct. announcement of Narvaez will be 41. but McCann off so back to 40. Otto makes 41. Correa 42 and Mendick 43.
Fringe DFA candidates:
Jeff Brigham
Zach Greene
Khalil Lee
I guess Nogosek again….
3 of 4 are potential bullpen pieces for spots 7-8 so not a ton of fat to trim here
Jose Butto is very unlikely to go unless traded.
He should wear the number 002 on his uniform since he will receive a whopping .002% of the Met’s budget.
I’d guess they have some other moves to make and maybe get a quality middle reliever with their surplus of infield prospects..or maybe create a nasty boys part 2 bullpen since Hendriks has been in rumored deals.
I love watching Mendick. He performs well in the 2 hole
Better watch really close Bud, I doubt you’ll see him in action too often.
Heard he’s abit anal
In an emergency, he could pitch. His one inning pitched in 2021 was interesting. One hit, one HBP, one strikeout, no walks and no earned runs.
I heard the Mets just signed Womendick also
Is Pindick expected to be a right handed Guillorme? Vientos is a better gamble. BTW, if any player drops the soap in the shower after a game and Danny is around, they should kick it all the way to La Guardia before picking it up.
Danny Mendick is fun to watch, always hustling, fan favorite, good pickup
Career.985 fielding pct., Danny a bargain at 1 Mil, Sox screw up again.
No other Sox infielder at .985.