The Mets announced yesterday that they traded outfielder Darrell Ceciliani to the Blue Jays for cash considerations. They recently broke the unfortunate injury news on their top outfield prospect Brandon Nimmo and his partial torn tendon in his left foot.
They also lost Kirk Nieuwenhuis earlier this offseason on waivers to the Milwaukee Brewers who also signed Eric Young Jr. to a minor league deal. In November, Brandon Allen signed with the Cincinnati Reds after playing 69 games in the outfield for the Las Vegas 51’s and having the second most homeruns and RBI on the team.
The Mets could possibly have the best offensive starting outfield in baseball and two great bench pieces in Juan Lagares and Alejandro De Aza. With the players they have lost this year the upper minors depth in the outfield has taken a big hit and looks like the Mets should sign a AAAA type to help out in Las Vegas.
Here are a few of the best remaining minor league free agent options:
- Domonic Brown – Following his career year in 2013 with the Phillies when he hit .272/.324/.494 with 27 homeruns and 83 RBI he has had back-to-back awful .634 OPS seasons. The former #4 prospect in MLB hit just .260/.315/.366 in 248 minor league at bats in 2015. Despite his recent struggles he definitely has good upside on a minor league deal. He can play left and right field but is not a strong defender in either spot.
- Julio Borbon – Has disappointed in the big leagues following a good offensive debut in 2009 (.312/.376/.414) and a strong defensive season in 2010 (1.4 dWAR). Last played in the Majors in 2013 and hit only .200/.282/.276 over 105 at bats. The left-handed hitter struggled in AAA last season hitting .269/.299/.321 for the Orioles. The former first round pick of the Rangers does have 179 minor league stolen bases, .347 OBP, and plays a solid center field.
- Chris Dickerson – Had played in the Majors for seven straight years (before spending 2015 in AAA) and is hitting .257/.335/.395 in 355 big league games. The left-handed hitter batted .270./.354/.340 with ten stolen bases for the Buffalo Bisons last year. The 33-year old veteran is a solid defender in all three outfield spots and has a career .746 OPS vs. right-handed pitchers in major league at bats.
(Kelvin Kuo-US PRESSWIRE)
- Tyler Colvin – Struggled mightily in Triple-A last season for the White Sox hitting just .226/.264/.334 in 88 games. The former first round pick of the Cubs in 2006 had a .816 OPS and 20 homeruns in 2010 with the Colorado Rockies and a .858 OPS with 18 homeruns and 72 RBI in 2012 with the Rockies. He has MLB experience in all three outfield spots and first base with his last big league at bats coming in 2014 with the Giants.
- Chris Parmelee – Played in 32 games for the Orioles last year hitting .216/.255/.433 and has a career .707 MLB OPS in 909 at bats. His best Major League season came in 2011 when he batted .355/.443/.592 for the Twins in 76 at bats. The former first round pick has a career .817 OPS in ten minor league season. The left-handed hitter played right field, left field, and first base last season.
The Mets did sign minor leaguer Ty Kelly earlier this offseason who is a switch-hitter that played 2015 in Triple-A. He played five different positions last year including 71 games in the outfield with at least ten games in all three spots.
Other options they could pursue to help there outfield depth include Sean Halton (OF/1B), Danny Dorn OF/1B), Adron Chambers, John Bowker (OF/1B), and Brad Glenn.
Right now the outfield in Las Vegas has the power hittin Travis Taijeron, Kyle Johnson who missed a ton of time in 2015 with injury, Nimmo who is currently battling an injury, and Jayce Boyd who should be put back at first base.
It seems like there isnt much in the way of OFs in the upper part of the Mets system.
Nimmo is about the only one and he is iffy at best.
Think Taijeron could be given a shot, if need arises, can always figure out 40 man issue and he has shown power and bit of patience, maybe be lefty masher. But one of those vets may need to be added on minors deal, obviously Dom Brown being relatively young and not too far removed from a good year sounds nice but he is really atrocious in the field, just see Ruben Tejada inside park HR
Early rounds and IFA money have been focusing on the mound and up the middle. Some of the early mid rounds (3-5) gambles haven’t developed as hoped (Wilson, King) but all in all the strategy has for the most part worked.
I know prospect for prospect deals are rare; but with the IF depth that the organization has at the upper levels one could be made. I am not talking high end prospects, but org depth guys like Dwight Smith, Henry Ramos, or even upside guys like Tyler Naquin
Definitely a weekness but hopefully Nimmo bounces back while Lindsay and Becerra hopefully continues to impress. Cruzado and Mora are the two guys to watch that could become useful 4/5th outfielders.
I doubt Taijeron gets a chance, already 27 and K’s a ton. Definitely think the Mets add someone and Brown definitely has the best upside but can’t play CF which is something they should probably target.
Guillermo Heredia is still out there. Doubtful a minor league contract gets it done, but worth a phone call.
TJ Rivera has never played the OF, but does he have the tools to play there? The IF will be crowded with Muno, Reynolds, Herrera, Cecchini and maybe others. Can´t hurt to try TJ out there…we know he´ll hit.
I think seeing some time in LF and RF wouldn’t be a bad idea but doesn’t have great arm or good foot speed. Don’t think he would be very good in OF.
Exactly why I left him off, don’t see Mets doing any more ML deals.
I am surprised he is still available. Consensus seems to be he will need some time in the minors, how much remains to be seen. Which is probably why he hasn’t landed yet.
Another player who may end up on a minor league deal with a mid-season opt out is Stubbs.
I left Stubbs off because I thought he would want a better PT opportunity.
He will probably sign with a team with a clearer path to the majors. But with Nimmo down for an undetermined amount of time, regular PT in Vegas is possible. And if something happens where De Aza is dealt, a major league job could be on the horizon.
I don’t see De Aza getting dealt unless for some reason he wants out. Would be dumb to get rid of that depth.
Too bad he can’t play a little first base. He’d be ideal for some time at 1B and the OF.