Yesterday’s news of Carlos Correa re-signing with the Twins puts Eduardo Escobar back in line for significant playing time for the 2023 Mets. There was speculation that he was going to serve as the short side of the DH platoon or possibly even being used as trade bait. Now, he’ll be counted on the be an integral part of the everyday lineup
Last year, Escobar had a 2.3 fWAR in 136 games. He was mostly underwhelming at the plate until the end of the year. He had a .328/.388/.595 line in his final 129 PA of the year. A six-week hot streak like Mark Canha had, simply timed better so there was no fall to earth? It’s certainly a possibility.
But it’s enough to have Escobar as the team’s 3B to start the year, with Brett Baty getting Triple-A experience and hopefully ready to step in should Escobar falter.
As a Mets fan, it’s sad to see the Correa deal fail to materialize. But it’s easy to be happy for Escobar and Baty with the way things ended up.
Let’s see how mich more production (maybe) that Correa has compared to Escobar/Bay.
Now, on to the fourth outfielder/DH. Will it be Duvall, Mancini or Cutch?
I like Cutch. Who do you like?
Duval has the most power, if his wrist is OK. That’s my pick!
Correa would have really lengthened the Met line-up, but would have also added value defensively as well. So, it will be very difficult to measure vs. his absence simply on the numbers. The key to me is finding a feared bat to follow Alonso. The lineup struggled with that mostly last season, except when Big V was acquired and played vs LHP. I think Pete could hit 50+ with a solid power bat behind him. As the roster stands now with Vogie, the question is which RH bat will get the opportunity. I am all for going with the kids, but I think they need to start lower in the lineup and hit their way up the ladder. The top 5 batters are Nimmo-Marte-Lindor-Alonso-McNeil…outside of Nimmo leading off, how will Buck order the rest. And, the real key will be, as already pointed out, whether they’ll see the Sept Escobar or the Apr-Aug Escobar. Adding a decent vet bat can provide insurance at the beginning of 2023 at least, likely impacting Vientos the most, but also allowing for more development time for Alvarez and Baty. That may be wise at a modest cost relative to Correa money.
While losing Correa was disappointing, I do think they can get more value for that spend over 12 years time, ankle or not.
We can’t say that lineup protection is a myth. But there are more examples where it made no difference than ones it did. It makes sense from a theoretical POV but it doesn’t play out that way in the majority of times in real life. And we have to consider other factors, like BABIP, among others, in the times where it appears to have made a difference.
I haven’t delved into analyses related to line up protection, and I prefer evidence-based conclusion, so for now I go with the baseball theory.
The Met lineup is pretty deep without Correa, and I think the same can be said for the Braves and Phillies. I feel like the Mets are a little light on proven long ball threats.
Not unhappy with Escobar at third. Or that maybe Baty gets to come up after some time in Syracuse. Would love to add Cutch, but will he come to be a part-timer? What’s next Uncle Steve?
Here’s an article from The Athletic about the signing of international free agent Willie Fanas, who is now in the Mets system. https://theathletic.com/3591333/2022/09/14/angels-lawsuit-dominican/
Thanks for posting this – I didn’t read it when it first came out.
Fanas was one of the Mets’ big IFA and it turns out there was a history, as apparently the Angels under Eppler had an agreement to sign Fanas when he was 14. Then Eppler got the boot and the Angels reneged on the agreement with Fanas.
There are a lot of shady things going on with these international free agents. It’s easy to say – just institute a world-wide draft. And that would probably clean up a lot of the mess but it would also likely mean less money going to these players.
The Braves got caught really running a crooked operation with IFAs and their GM at the time received a permanent ban. And it turns out permanent was five years, as John Copolella was just reinstated.
https://theathletic.com/4070252/2023/01/09/mlb-reinstates-john-coppolella-braves/
I saw in The Post that the Mets are not considering Trevor Bauer, even though he would cost almost nothing. I know there is a lot of revulsion at his sexual appetites, but he hasn’t been charged with a crime. In my opinion, the Mets should sign him. So he’s a jerk, he’s also a dominating pitcher. Can you imagine a starting staff of Scherzer, Verlander, Bauer, Senga, and Quintana? There are a lot of jerks in baseball who are not black-balled. Who knows, maybe he’s learned from his banishment and his public humiliation. I think that once people have paid for their offense, there should be a path for restoration. I hope the Mets give him that path. I’m not saying he “deserves it,” but he’s too good a talent, a difference maker, and if the Mets win a WS with him his appetites will be the last thing on their minds.
Brian, what happened to my post about Trevor Bauer? By the way, this is the second time a post of mine disappeared from the Wednesday “catch-all” thread.
I found two posts of yours in my spam folder. Have no idea why they went there but I restored them.
Thanks. It’s probably because of their inherent value! Have other members been having to sign back in a lot? Sometimes I am reading one article and have to sign in to read another. It happens at least every other day. It’s worth the effort to re-sign, but all things being equal, I’d like to stay signed in for months on end.