Just Mets

It’s notably been a rough start to the 2015 season for Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores both at the plate and even more so in the field. As what’s become customary in sports, this has fans in the grass-is-always-greener mentality, pining for options outside of the organization.

Over the offseason, there were a number of such options that were deemed as potential fits for the Mets. Let’s see how they’re faring early this season…

Alexei Ramirez

There was a lot of talk about the Mets and Alexei Ramirez in the offseason and, at one point, it appeared to me to be the most likely acquisition the Mets would make to fill the position. While potential names were thrown around in a myriad of different rumors, no move ever materialized, and perhaps it was for the best. Owed $10M this season and a $10M option ($1M buyout) in 2016, Ramirez would’ve not only cost the Mets money but likely one of their valuable young pitching prospects as well. In 23 games so far this season, Ramirez’s play hasn’t been worth either, as he’s currently hitting .198/.239/.284 with seven doubles, no home runs, nine RBI and four walks. Ramirez has made four errors as well, tied for 8th most among major league shortstops.

Ian Desmond

It was an interesting offseason for Ian Desmond, who, after reportedly turning down a large contract extension from the Nationals, was the subject of some pretty major trade rumors involving the Mets. According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, this past offseason there was a potential blockbuster, three-team trade between the Mets, Nationals and Rays involving the likes of Ian Desmond, Ben Zobrist, Yunel Escobar (who wound up going the Nationals, anyways) and multiple top Mets prospects. The idea of a trade like this was exciting, not only because the Mets would be acquiring a young Silver Slugger at shortstop, but it would have been an aggressive move the likes of which we haven’t seen under this regime. It would appear that this trade rumor, if it was ever at all close to happening, never coming to fruition has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Mets. In 28 games this season Desmond is hitting .227/.292/.364 with nine doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, eight walks, 28 strikeouts, is coming off of an 0-for-29 stretch at the plate, and has committed nine errors–tied for the most at any position in the majors.

Elvis Andrus

While there were more rumors about the Mets and Jurickson Profar–which would appear to have been false, there was some talk about if the Mets and Rangers could connect on a trade involving shortstop Elvis Andrus. On paper some saw it as a logical fit, however I never agreed. Andrus is owed a ridiculous $118M over the next eight years (with a vesting $15M option in 2023), a price the Mets, or any team for that matter, would not and should not pay, especially for this type of player. After a mediocre 2014 campaign in Texas, Andrus is hitting a sub-par .240/.298/.317 with a .616 OPS, six total extra-base hits, six RBI, nine walks and four stolen bases. Andrus has committed seven errors this season, tied with Wilmer Flores and Jean Segura for 3rd most among major league shortstops.

Stephen Drew

Drew was the hot name for the Mets to acquire prior to the 2014 season and, as we now know, this never happened. Drew sat out for a good portion of last year, before finally being signed by the Red Sox and finishing out the year with the Yankees. Despite having the lowest batting average for a shortstop with 300+ at-bats in a season in major league history last year, some still believed that Drew could be a fit with the Mets. Luckily the the Mets didn’t go this route, as he signed a one-year, $5M deal with the Yankees, where he is hitting .167/.247/.359 with three doubles, four home runs, 10 RBI, nine walks and 18 strikeouts. Drew hasn’t hit above .170 since 2013. While spending the majority of this season at 2nd base, Drew has played six games at shortstop, where he has committed one error.

Brad Miller

A less established name, Mariners youngster Brad Miller was an interesting name this past Winter. While he struggled in 2014, hitting .221/.288/.365 with a .653 OPS, the 25-year-old Miller was still thought of highly, as he was the Mariners top shortstop prospect entering the season. While the Mariners have scouted the Mets each of the past two years, no trade ever appeared close to happening with the two teams. So far in 25 games this season, Miller is hitting .250/.301/.382 with three doubles, two triples, one home run, eight RBI, six walks and 17 strikeouts. Miller has committed four fielding errors at shortstop.

Starlin Castro

By sheer logic, the Mets and Cubs match up perfectly to make a blockbuster trade. Both teams are on the rise, and both has what the other desires. The Mets have the pitching prospects, and a ton of them, while the Cubs are overflowing with prized hitting young hitters at both the major and minor league levels. While the clubs haven’t appeared to ever come close on a deal, it would make sense to talk about Starlin Castro, if the Cubs were ever inclined to move him. Castro’s still just 25-years-old and a plus offensive player at a plus position. The asking price is no-doubtedly high for Castro, but as someone with his skills and under control–owed $43M over the next five years with a $16M club option in 2020 ($1M buyout)–it may be worth a discussion. Still though, there have been concerns in the past about Castro’s motivation, as well as his defense (he’s committed four errors this season). In 25 games this year, Castro hasn’t replicated the production we’ve seen from him in the past, as he’s hitting .298/.324/.365 with only three total extra-base hits, 15 RBI, four walks and 20 strikeouts.

Troy Tulowitzki

The White Wale. The dream most Mets fans dare to think about is Troy Tulowitzki manning shortstop along side David Wright at 3rd, and unfortunately, it’s never been all that realistic. Tulowitzki is owed $114M over the next six years, with a $15M club option in 2021 ($4M buyout), a large contract, but lower than you’d expect for a slugger of this magnitude. However, when you have the consistent health concerns that Tulowitzki has had over the years, the contract becomes that more of a liability to take on. In addition, when I checked in this offseason, the Rockies apparent asking price for Tulowitzki was incredulously high, and something I could never see the Mets doing. At the end of the day, I’m not sure Colorado ever trades Tulowitzki. He’s their version of David Wright–the face of their franchise–and if they’re going to move on from someone like him, they’re going to want the king’s ransom that they’ve been requesting, and rightly so. In 24 games this season, Tulo is hitting .299/.311/.506 with 12 doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, just two walks, 17 strikeouts and a .817 OPS. Tulowitzki has committed three errors this season.