Now that I'm emotionally and legally committed to the "Plan," acquiring JD Martinez just does not feel right. Only five days. I am starting to smile a lot more.
There's no question that Martinez would make the Mets a better team in 2024. It would also require, I believe, dumping Mark Vientos and sitting Alvarez a lot more. Not using Marte at DH, etc. And, again, if JD costs $15 million, the reality is it costs Cohen $30 million. I can see either points of view, I guess. If healthy, Martinez can really hit; he's had a history of back problems, but doesn't everybody? I don't believe that a modern team should have TWO guys who can't play the field. What I'd love is an extra bat who can play some 3B and/or some OF. I don't know who that is.
I have a feeling Vientos is going to surprise. At Third Base. If they sign JD, which I really think they should do, in order to put the best product out there for the fans, and the best protection in the lineup for Alonso, Vientos has a clear path to play. He just has to beat Bret Baty. And if they’re both good, that’s a platoon. They’ll be fine. Neither has earned a guaranteed starting position based on what they’ve done so far in their careers.
I think JD changes this lineup from one of the many question marks to very solid. And Pete would finally have protection. Otherwise put, I think it’s a very significant move and I’m all for it. They can find at bats for Vientos/Baty. Maybe I’m jaded bc I can’t believe how bad Baty looked last year. He was worth a lot more as a chip before he got playing time.
Agree on Baty. He had a .600 OPS last year and a horrendous glove. I think if he could raise his OPS to .750 -- a significant jump -- he'd still be a neg negative without marked improvement defensively. I'm not writing him off, but that was just awful in 2023.
Martinez makes the team better. Vientos could make the team better. I don't like a DH-only player (he can play the OF but his defensive WAR is horrible). Putting him there protects Pete but blocks flexibility, including giving Pete a half-day off. I'm mixed. As Wendy said, I have talked myself into "the plan" but this might be too good a move to pass up.
I want to see if Vientos can do. JD would preclude that as Vientos is not a 3B. If Vientos hits this year , he’s a potential replacement at 1B for Alonso I’d Pete cannot be signed.
Vientos may surprise you at 3B. Weirder things have happened. Wilmer was never supposed to be able to play shortstop. His shortstop play didn’t stop us from getting to the World Series.
Last season was the moment to sign JD instead of depending on a platoon that had already shown itself to be inconsistent, now doesn't really move the needle for this squad. Better to let Vientos play and show the team what he's got.
This is the roster management and contract minutia I come here for!
Now that I'm emotionally and legally committed to the "Plan," acquiring JD Martinez just does not feel right. Only five days. I am starting to smile a lot more.
There's no question that Martinez would make the Mets a better team in 2024. It would also require, I believe, dumping Mark Vientos and sitting Alvarez a lot more. Not using Marte at DH, etc. And, again, if JD costs $15 million, the reality is it costs Cohen $30 million. I can see either points of view, I guess. If healthy, Martinez can really hit; he's had a history of back problems, but doesn't everybody? I don't believe that a modern team should have TWO guys who can't play the field. What I'd love is an extra bat who can play some 3B and/or some OF. I don't know who that is.
Agreed - no modern team can have two players who cannot play the field. Not in today's game where speed kills again.
I have a feeling Vientos is going to surprise. At Third Base. If they sign JD, which I really think they should do, in order to put the best product out there for the fans, and the best protection in the lineup for Alonso, Vientos has a clear path to play. He just has to beat Bret Baty. And if they’re both good, that’s a platoon. They’ll be fine. Neither has earned a guaranteed starting position based on what they’ve done so far in their careers.
To me, it sounds like JD Martinez' agent contacted the Mets to gauge interest in their client - not the other way around.
I think JD changes this lineup from one of the many question marks to very solid. And Pete would finally have protection. Otherwise put, I think it’s a very significant move and I’m all for it. They can find at bats for Vientos/Baty. Maybe I’m jaded bc I can’t believe how bad Baty looked last year. He was worth a lot more as a chip before he got playing time.
Agree on Baty. He had a .600 OPS last year and a horrendous glove. I think if he could raise his OPS to .750 -- a significant jump -- he'd still be a neg negative without marked improvement defensively. I'm not writing him off, but that was just awful in 2023.
Just no on Martinez
Martinez makes the team better. Vientos could make the team better. I don't like a DH-only player (he can play the OF but his defensive WAR is horrible). Putting him there protects Pete but blocks flexibility, including giving Pete a half-day off. I'm mixed. As Wendy said, I have talked myself into "the plan" but this might be too good a move to pass up.
I will be very surprised if this isn't just media hype with nothing behind it.
I want to see if Vientos can do. JD would preclude that as Vientos is not a 3B. If Vientos hits this year , he’s a potential replacement at 1B for Alonso I’d Pete cannot be signed.
Vientos may surprise you at 3B. Weirder things have happened. Wilmer was never supposed to be able to play shortstop. His shortstop play didn’t stop us from getting to the World Series.
Last season was the moment to sign JD instead of depending on a platoon that had already shown itself to be inconsistent, now doesn't really move the needle for this squad. Better to let Vientos play and show the team what he's got.