Jed Lowrie. Last winter, the Mets signed the infielder. 2 years, 20 million dollars.
That’s not that astronomical of a deal. Sure, the Mets didn’t necessarily need Lowrie. An outfielder or a relief pitcher would have made more sense.
If you said that investing in a 35 year old player who had literally only been healthy once in his career was unwise, well, I wouldn’t argue with you.
But, hey. 2 years 20 million dollars. It’s not the end of the world.
Not yet, anyway. Jed Lowrie can quickly become a lot more costly.
Jed Lowrie’s 2019 was just one never ending rehab assignment that culminated in seven embarrassing September at-bats.
All told, the Mets paid Lowrie upwards of 1.4 million dollars for each of those at-bats in 2019. At this point, I should also mention that the Mets paid Travis d’Arnaud $140,600 for each of his 2019 at-bats.
At certain junctures, the Mets can be wildly reckless, essentially lighting cigars with 100 dollar bills. Then at the drop of a hat their wallets become welded shut, giving Aaron Altherr at-bats in the very same season while chasing a playoff berth.
Well, things happen, right? What are you gonna do? Lowrie didn’t work out. It’s only a two year deal. It’s ludicrous in this market to pay a utility/bench guy 10 million dollars, which is what Lowrie would be in 2020, but what choice do we have?
Funny you should ask. The Mets may be looking for a way to compound a mistake they already made ten-fold.
Jed Lowrie’s value can’t be much lower right? The age. The lengthy injury history. The aforementioned 7 at-bats. The ten million dollar price tag.
Why would another team even fathom adding Jed Lowrie given all those risks? Well, the Mets are looking to sweeten the pot by including Dominic Smith.
The Mets are at least entertaining the thought of trading Dominic Smith to entice a team to take on some or all of Jed Lowrie’s contract.
Yes, Dominic Smith. The player who worked tirelessly to reinvent himself after a disappointing debut. The epitome of a team player. A man who humbled himself and did whatever was necessary to help the team.
It may seem like I’m doing the exact opposite. It may sound like I’m putting Smith over the good of the team as a whole.
Not true. Smith is an asset. He saw the writing on the wall. Alonso is the guy here in Queens. So, Smith accepted his reserve role and thrived in it, posting an .881 OPS off the bench.
I’m nothing if not fair. Dominic Smith can only play first base. With that being said, he has multiple years of control. He’s an attractive option. So I think the Mets should entertain the option of tradimg him.
I think the Mets should seek out a team who could use a 24 year old lefty first baseman under team control and look to make a deal if one presents itself.
That was me playing devil’s advocate.
I DO think the Mets should recognize what they have in Smith and find a way to have him help the team, whether it be in Queens or an entirely different city.
I DON’T think the Mets should disrupt the chemistry in the clubhouse to clean up Brodie Van Wagenen’s mistake.
Brodie Van Wagenen: “Jeff (Wilpon) gives a tremendous amount of autonomy to each of us that runs these divisions. We form consensus among our group and then we bring him our recommendations and he’s been incredibly supportive of that. I think our organization works well.”
You presented this idea to our “baseball” guy, Jeff Wilpon. However you did it, you got him on board and willing to spend the money.
You convinced Jeff Wilpon to buy high on an injury prone 35 year old coming off the best year of his career. You’re going to sell low the very next winter?
Let’s take all these players who were formally represented by our GM, Robinson Canó, Michael Wacha and Jed Lowrie, and let’s say a prayer. Let’s hope that collectively, they have something left in the tank.
Because, if not? What are we doing? I don’t benefit from Citi Field turning into a Club Med for players represented by CAA.
Let’s play dumb and assume that Van Wagenen was acting in good faith, and that he brought these players in because he felt they could contribute. Why are we cutting bait after one year?
Believe me. I don’t have any faith in Jed Lowrie. He’s going to be 36 and the Mets don’t even know if he’ll be ready for Opening Day in 2020. Let’s take it a step further. The Mets don’t even know what prevented him from taking the field in 2019.
This is the player you’re trying to trade?
Act like a big market team while you’re still in control of one. You can’t cry poor because of Cespedes anymore. As “expensive as the insurance premiums” may have been, the ranch escapades ultimately worked out in your favor.
If you have an area you need to address, write a check. If you go over the Luxury Tax threshold, so what? You pay a tiny penalty and go right back under the threshold following the 2021 season. Cost of doing business, right?
In summary?
Don’t gut this team of an asset because one of our GM’s CAA rescue missions went awry.
Call Jed Lowrie and ask how he’s doing. Here’s a crazy notion. Send him to the doctor! Find out if he’ll be able to contribute to the Mets in 2020. Because, you know what? If he’s not able to play in 2020, your potential trade partners are going to factor that in to their negotiations.