Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Happy Thanksgiving Mets fans.
In one of the best 24 hours for the Mets lately, new General Manager Billy Eppler made a trio of signings on Black Friday who, in his first month on the job, set the tone and essentially said, “We’re here to go battle. ”
Hours after the Mets inked versatile defenders Mark Canha they added the former Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star to a two-year contract worth $ 26.5 million starling mars on a four-year contract for $ 78 million. They make significant additions to an outfield that was struggling hard in 2021.
That news comes the same day the Mets signed the infielder Eduardo Escobar also a two-year contract.
The Mets are making noise. And for the first time in a while, it’s positive news.
After both Michael comfort and Dominic Smith Released subpar seasons this year, the future of the team’s outfield was a big question mark, especially given Conforto’s free agent status. But bringing in two seasoned thugs with defensive flexibility and years of experience in the major leagues on relatively cheap deals still allows the Mets to make a splash later this off-season. Re-signing Javier Baez and brings another significant piece to market, like the former Cy Young winner Max Scherzerremains a possibility.
At the moment, however, the Mets are looking at an outfield of Marte, Nimmo and Canha. That gives you three really professional thugs who occupy the field grass and don’t also sleep on their defense. While Marte is the signature move of the two, Canha has played four consecutive seasons with an OPS over 110. He was a constant in the Oakland A line-up, never with extraordinary numbers to catch the eye, but always a player who can do a little bit of everything on his plate. He’s coming from a 2021 season when he played due to injury but still stole 17 home runs, 22 doubles and 12 bases.
Outside the field, the Mets in Canha get a player who stands out above baseball.
While Major League Baseball closed during the 2020 pandemic, Canha took one Health course at UC Berkeley to expand his view of the world. He also has a super impressive, delicious meal account Instagram, shares his recipes and food photos under the username “bigleaguefoodie”.
As for Marte, he’s a dynamic base stealing threat that comes from a 2021 campaign in which he hit 0.310 in 120 games between the Marlins and Athletics. Its 47 stolen bases in 2021 led the league by a margin, seven strokes more than anyone else. Between him and Brandon Nimmo, The Mets now boast two of the league’s top setters, both likely to top the Mets’ daily line-up.
When he was with the Pirates, Marte was one of the anchors for a Pittsburgh team that hit three consecutive playoff berths between 2013 and 2015. In the Steel City, Marte also won two Gold Glove Awards.
With a potential lockdown impending, this was a much-needed squad boost for a team that would have asked serious questions had it entered that squad freeze without signing. Instead, we’re looking at a roster that literally improved dramatically overnight.
Black Friday is all about deals, and it’s safe to say the Mets got some good ones yesterday.
Comments are closed.