Wilmer Flores lands on his feet (ha!) after being non-tendered by the Mets, as he inks a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The contract is one year with a club option for 2020 that guarantees Flores $4.25 million. He gets $3.75 million in 2019 and has a $6 million team option the following year, with a $500,000 buyout.

With the trade of Paul Goldschmidt, the D’Backs don’t have a fixed starter yet at first base. The depth chart at MLB.com lists Christian Walker as the starter. Don’t beat yourself up if you’ve never heard of Walker, who’s played parts of four seasons in the majors and amassed 99 PA with a .683 OPS.

So, it might be a good shot for Flores to get consistent playing time.

22 comments on “Wilmer Flores lands MLB contract in Arizona

  • TexasGusCC

    Wow, not only did Brian give Flores his own article but not a single knock therein. But of course, I just noticed the gif. I hope he makes the all-star team.

    • Michael

      Amen to that. And when he switches over to the AL as a DH in a few years, I’d love to see him put up Edgar Martinez numbers.

      • Brian Joura

        As a 41 year old, Martinez put up a .727 OPS. In the dozen years that he played at least 100 games, that was by far his lowest mark, over 100 points lower than the next-lowest.

        Flores has a lifetime .727 mark and has never cracked an .800 OPS.

        Martinez has eight seasons where he put up an OPS of at least .900 and another one at .895

        • TexasGusCC

          Most players do much better when they switch to only DHing. David Ortiz comes to mind, as does Nelson Cruz. Another one is a certain new Hall-of-Famer…

          • Brian Joura

            Martinez’ improvement came because he couldn’t stay healthy playing the field. If you think Flores is going to become a .900 OPS hitter by being a DH, I’d suggest you need to lay off the hard stuff.

            • TexasGusCC

              Hey, I had to reach for something. Not going to let you slap my buddy around unchecked. All Michael said is that he would love to see Flores put up Edgar Martinez’ numbers. Well you know what: So would I! Maybe if you didn’t want to bash him so quickly you would have read what he wrote.

              As for what I wrote, it’s true too!

              • Brian Joura

                Oh, I read what he wrote.

                There are things that you don’t do if you want to be taken seriously. I liked the power that Lucas Duda brought to the table but I never made a suggestion that he could put up Mark McGwire numbers. One can like the potential of Wilmer Flores but you don’t throw out a reference to Edgar Martinez.

                • TexasGusCC

                  Again, “I’d love to see…” isn’t “I think he can”… and I’d love to see it too!

                  And you know what, I hope he wins a Gold Glove at second base fielding like Doug Flynn while he’s hitting like Edgar Martinez!

                  • Brian Joura

                    And I’d love to have a million dollars. But that isn’t happening and to throw it out as a possibility is a waste of time.

              • Chris F

                The mere thought that Flores is even fit to polish the spikes of Edgar is appalling. Martinez belongs in the Hall of Fame. Flores doesnt even belong in the major leagues. That he got a job is one of the main factors to be concerned about expanding the MLB.

                • TexasGusCC

                  LOL, did you bet on a game and he struck out in a key spot?

                  I can’t wait to hear your reaction when the world learns that the “arthritis” in both knees is along the same lines as Turner’s “laziness” because I heard Flores give a radio interview saying that the second knee was done as preventive and the first one was done at the recommendation of the team to be healthier for the upcoming year.

  • Mike Walczak

    Wilmer Floreschmidt – I hope the kid gets a lot of playing time and plays well.

  • Artie

    Gotta think Wilmer might hit 20 homers if he gets 500 ABs in that stadium. Met fans will be moaning and groaning if that happens and the Mets are struggling to play 500 ball.

    • Artie

      But,Wilmer is no second baseman!

  • David Klein

    Good luck to Wilmer I’ll always remember his walk off vs the Nats 48 hours after nearly being traded.

    • TJ

      +1. Good kid and has a fond place in Met history. Just no walk offs vs. Mets.

  • Rob

    He was all Mets. Always wanted to see him breakout. The year they gave him shortstop he worked really hard to do his best. Just read he will be their second baseman. I hope he does well. Thanks for the memories Wilmer.

    • JimO

      God bless Flores!

      • TexasGusCC

        +1

  • Chris F

    Good Bye Wilmer, you cement-booted lead-legged Mets legend. Nobody wore #4 with more aplomb than you (hold it….). We’re gonna miss that 5 year, 2000 AB OPS of .727 and bWAR of 0.9. Your career -13 DRS also was a thing of beauty. Those few shiny moments sprinkled with glitter and orange gatorade splashes were worth it all.

    We will be coming at you next season. I recommend not getting in the way.

  • Pete from NJ

    MLBTR stated Wilmer’s statistics against LHP were below par.
    Seems like a reversal this year so his numbers should be eye opening.

    Good thing we only see Arizona 6 times per year{as opposed seeing Daniel Murphy way too many times}.

    If he could only field a position.

  • Peter Cooper

    Good luck Wilmer, you will always be a Met in my mind

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