A bit more fun than looking up our former colleagues on LinkedIn is trying to keep tabs on what team (or league) all the still active Mets play on now. Many recent former Mets are now retired (Carlos Beltran, John Maine, Juan Uribe, et al) but this list will focus on the still active ex-Mets. In some cases, these players are non-roster invitees fighting for a spot and in other cases they have become journeymen or career minor leaguers. Many are free agents, including a few trying to hang on for one last go around. A few are even playing overseas.
We grew fond of some of these players as some came up through our system, while others provided us with memorable highlights as Mets. Or, lowlights, in the case of Jordany Valdespin (pictured). Some we were happy to see leave (Oliver Perez), while others we miss seeing in blue and orange (Curtis Granderson). Many were free agents this off-season, and while we brought a few back (Jose Reyes, Jay Bruce, Matt Den Dekker, Ty Kelly, Jason Vargas) some very familiar faces will now find themselves wearing new uniforms in 2018. Here’s a run down, though I’m sure to have overlooked a few. By all means, name them in the comments section.
Dario Alvarez – Chicago Cubs
Norichika Aoki – Yakult Swallows (Japan)
Antonio Bastardo – Arizona Diamondbacks
Mike Baxter – free agent
Pedro Beato – Philadelphia Phillies
Vic Black – free agent
Blaine Boyer – Kansas City Royals
Chasen Bradford – Seattle Mariners
Eric Campbell – Miami Marlins
Robert Carson – free agent
Darrell Ceciliani – free agent
Ronny Cedeno – free agent
Juan Centeno – Texas Rangers
Endy Chavez – Somerset Patriots (independent team in NJ)
Tyler Clippard – free agent
Bartolo Colon – Texas Rangers
Colin Cowgill – Philadelphia Phillies
Alejandro De Aza – free agent
Ike Davis – free agent
R.A. Dickey – free agent
Lucas Duda – Kansas City Royals
Josh Edgin – Baltimore Orioles
Dana Eveland – free agent
Nick Evans – free agent
Michae Fullmer* – Detroit Tigers
John Gant – St. Louis Cardinals
Dillon Gee – Chunichi Dragons (Japan)
Gonzelez Germen – Chicago White Sox
Sean Gilmartin – St. Louis Cardinals
Erik Goeddel – Texas Rangers
Curtis Granderson – Toronto Blue Jays
Jim Henderson – free agent
Dilson Herrera – Cincinnati Reds
Kelly Johnson – free agent
Scott Kazmir – Atlanta Braves
Jack Leathersich – Pittsburgh Pirates
James Loney – free agent
Cory Mazzoni* – Chicago Cubs
Akeel Morris – Atlanta Braves
Bobby Parnell – free agent
Daisuke Matsuzaka – Chunichi Dragons (Japan)
Colin McHugh – Houston Astros
Daniel Murphy – Washington Nationals
Jon Niese – Texas Rangers
Kirk Nieuwenhuis – Seattle Mariners
Darren O’Day – Baltimore Orioles
Eric O’Flaherty – free agent
Angel Pagan – free agent
Mike Pelfrey – free agent
Oliver Perez – Cincinnati Reds
Yusmeiro Petit* – Oakland A’s
Cesar Puello – Arizona Diamondbacks
Anthony Recker – free agent
Addison Reed – Minnesota Twins
Matt Reynolds – Washington Nationals
Rene Rivera – Los Angeles Angels
Francisco Rodriguez – Philadelphia Phillies
Justin Ruggiano – free agent
Fernando Salas – Arizona Diamondbacks
Johan Santana – free agent
Joe Smith – Houston Astros
Josh Smoker – Pittsburgh Pirates
Travis Taijeron – Los Angeles Dodgers
Ruben Tejada – Baltimore Orioles
Josh Thole – Arizona Diamondbacks
Alex Torres – Gunma Diamond Pegasus (independent league)
Wilfredo Tovar – St. Louis Cardinals
Carlos Torres – Cleveland Indians
Justin Turner – Los Angeles Dodgers
Jordany Valdespin – free agent
Jose Valverde – free agent
Logan Verrett – NC Dinos (Korea)
Neil Walker – free agent
Gabriel Ynoa – Baltimore Orioles
Chris Young (OF) – Los Angeles Angels
Chris Young (P) – San Diego Padres
Eric Young, Jr. – Los Angeles Angels
*Came up through Mets’ minor league system but never played for the Mets.
Quite a few ex-Mets in Arlington and Baltimore…
Kind of surprised that Neil Walker hasn’t signed with anyone yet. After dropping all that money on Hosmer, adding Walker to the infield could help a team like San Diego.
BK, I had the same thought. Arrieta, Lynn, Cobb, Holland and Moustakas are all stubbornly holding out for longer contracts (right or wrong), but guys like Walker and Lucroy are solid veteran players who could be had at bargain rates. Either could help a number of teams improve and I’m really surprised to see them still available at this point.
From what I’ve been hearing and reading about the first 5 names I mentioned, I think the Phillies are gonna jump in on one of the starters but not sure about the two remaining. Baltimore and Seattle could certainly use a starter, but don’t think they want to spend. I still see Holland going to St. Louis. Moose is a weird case because nobody wants to give him a long term deal but they also don’t want to part with compensation for a one year pillow contract. He may have to settle for a 2 or 3-year deal from an unexpected team like the Braves or White Sox. Arrieta must be kicking himself (and Boras) that he rejected the Cubs offer.
All these free agents rejected solid offers. Besides Arrieta, Cobb rejected 3/42, Holland rejected the 3/51 contract Wade Davis got from Colorado, Walker rejected the Mets offer of 2/30, Moustakas felt he deserved 10/250 (I’m being sarcastic), and Lynn with those peripherals rejected a QO. Sorry fellas…
Gus- these guys are all going to be singing Sinatra “regrets, I’ve had a few…”
LOL for us, but if I were them… what would be going through my mind.
If I’m Harvey and they QO me, I have to grab it. It’s going to be about $18MM anyway, and I get it out of the way. And I don’t listen to Boras.
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Gus – great point I hadn’t considered. We all figure that Harvey will either suck or be awesome, but what if he’s like pretty good – stays healthy, 175 innings, 3.6 ERA? QO could possibly bring him back for one more year.
Matt, Bobby Cox yesterday called him the old Matt Harvey. He was reading 96, and the scouts in attendance were calling it a slow gun. What if he sizzles? (I do get ahead of myself when it comes to the Mets).
Interesting that Johan Santana is on your list, as well as this year’s Hall of Fame ballot.
Charlie – Johan still has not officially retired
Oh, pulling a Bernie Williams, huh?
I was surprised and also confused that a power house like the Dodgers can find room{on their minor league} roster for Travis Taijeron. Do our west coast cousins know more than we do?
I know that they want their paydays, but they are really out if touch with what every day folks earn.
Yeah, I’ll even settle for 3 years at 450k.
I’m still kind of miffed about Vic Black….I liked him.
Update. Mike Pelfrey is retiring and will now be coaching college.
https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2018-02-08/dii-baseball-mlb-veteran-pitcher-mike-pelfrey-comes-home-coach