23
2012
Despite Interest From Yankees, Hairston Prefers A Return To Mets
An article by 
Updated by HoJo on 12/23
Wallace Matthews of ESPN New York, reports that while the New York Yankees remain interested in free agent Scott Hairston, he would prefer to return to the Mets where he believes he’d be able to log significantly more playing time.
Hairston has been holding out for the Mets since the season ended, but they must be far apart on dollars or a reunion would have materialized by now.
Original Post by Joe D. on 12/21
A team source told Newsday’s Marc Carig that the team remains in position to splurge on one multiyear deal this offseason. That will most likely go toward signing a right-handed-hitting outfielder.
With the makeup of the outfield market, the source said going beyond one year may be the Mets’ best avenue to “bring on a high-quality player.” Scott Hairston remains a logical fit for a reunion.
The source also told Carig that Hairston is well-regarded and his personality fit well in the clubhouse. His familiarity with the club increases the chances that he stays in New York.
Last week, Scott Hairston told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, that the Mets remain in the mix, but a multiyear contract will be required for him to return to Queens.
“Things are starting to pick up now that the market is settling in,” Hairston said. “Still unsure where I’ll sign, though. There are a lot of trades happening around the league, so it’s possible that interest may rise in the next few days. My agent has been in contact with Sandy [Alderson], so he is aware I want a multiyear deal.”
Hairston also is receiving interest from the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.
As I’ve maintained all along, I’d love to see Hairston return in 2013. He was one of the few nice surprises last season when in a limited role he hit 20 home runs (third on the team) with 57 RBI in 377 at-bats. His .803 OPS ranked second on the team trailing only David Wright.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
54 Comments + Add Comment
Recent Comments
- BadBadLeroyBrown: on Our Ike Davis May Not Even Be The Best Ike Davis: Ike SUCKS! Send him down already so...
- Mr North Jersey: on Jose Reyes Is Running Again And Making A Rapid Recovery: That's good to hear. Talk about a...
- BadBadLeroyBrown: on Jose Reyes Is Running Again And Making A Rapid Recovery: Mets fans wouldnt be complaining about a...
- mailman: on David Wright Believes In “The Plan”: Hope you have the patience of Job....
- mailman: on David Wright Believes In “The Plan”: Lets lose two.
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5394 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1269 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
Still would rather have Ross.
I would like both.
And they’ll probably get neither. Kearns or Wells are more likely.
Looking at Ross’s number in his career outside of hitter’s parks, I want nothing to do with Ross. He will be at best a .240 hitter in our park with about 12 HR’s a year, no thank you. Next!
signing both Ross and Hairston would give us the much needed pop from the right side, as well as fill two gaping holes in the outfield.
too bad Sandy Smallballderson is running the show and will likely sign neither
If Alderson chickened out on Reynolds, he’ll chicken out on Hairston. Nothing to see here, folks.
well, at least Hairston is actually an OF.
As the team is constituted now, you have two right handed bats in the lineup — Wright and Tejada. That kind of imbalance can’t exist, particularly when your best bat off the bench is also left handed (Valdespin). Bringing in a starting right handed hitting outfielder is a must as is flipping another minor piece such as Valdespin to get some right handers on the bench, too.
Personally I’m all in for the right handed 27 year old who can actually start 150+ games per year (assuming he doesn’t go off on any more drunken anti-Semitic rants), Delmon Young. With no one breathing his name I wouldn’t be surprised to see him come at $6-$7 million per year and he’s put up a career .285 AVG in Minnesota and Detroit. He’s also got a 100 RBI season under his belt. How about Ross or Hairston?
He is more of a DH than an OF sadly. Plus it doesnt seem like the Mets are into guys who have questionable character or make bad decisions. Look at how Valdy is being crucified by the organization.
Buck and d’Aranud are both right handed. One of them is catching every day.
I’ve got it! Move the fences in to about 50′ behind the infield. Don’t need outfielders and you get lots of HRs. This off-season is making me nuts, as if being a Mets fan wasn’t enough.
Better yet…Move the fence right behind home Plate and Thole becomes a good defensive catcher and a HR hitter to boot! LOL
Metsie: OK we will trade Wheeler for Thole and throw in a Buck to boot.
That might get the first overall picks Sandy needs to succeed the way Cashen did….
I joke of course….
No way, pass on Hairston. He had one good year in his career and he thinks he deserves to start? He’s crazy and garbage. Keep it movin.
The problem with Hairston is defense. Anything else such as OBP can be fixed. Line drive, clutch hitter with power, classy guy to have on roster, but his Achilles Heel is defense, especially throwing, and is something he really ought to improve. His range and other defensive skills aren’t good either, and is what I think most keeps him labeled platoon player, though not the only reason.
Sandy has a player acquisition phobia. Don’t count on any signings, let alone more than a one-year deal. Is Sandy Alderson a control freak or what?
LTF, he’s either afraid of making the wrong decision EVEN with his highly paid group of scouts and advisors-or-he just can’t be bothered to TRY
I hate how we always bring in good for nothing no name players who end up starting. Whatever…. I’m getting a bit stubborn here because Spring Training is a few months away and we haven’t done anything but lock up Wright for the next 8 years. Do something that will help the team Sandy! You resigned Wright so now you have to go find us our new Beltran and Delgado. Ike is a start.
Hi Sally,
There is something Sandy did and now can do to help the team. He re-signed David and can now resign himself.
Off Topic: Watching 121212 and drunk uncle just sucked the life out of the room. #who’snext.
Why do I sometimes feel like the only person who really doesn’t want Hairston on this team in 2013?
He had a few hot streaks but overall was pretty below average. That’s called a pinch hitter, not a multi-year outfielder.
In fact to back up my claim:
Starter: 86 games, .264 average, .291 OBP, .494 Slug, .785OPS, OPS+ of 112
Sub: 48 games, .255 average, .345 OBP, .569 Slug, .913OPS, OPS+ of 181
and he’s a below average fielder.
I’d like him back, but not as a starter. A platoon guy at most.
My fear is that he’s signed and he’s the starting RF.
They already have Baxter, Cowgill, Kirk, Valdespin. They don’t need another 4th OF or platoon. they need a starter.
I don’t think they are getting a starter that qualifies as good at it (more like in name only). That is, likely to have big splits, and not good enough to overcome.
so IOW they are bringing in a platoon guy, so might as well make it one that is supposed to be one!
No worries, if it goes down, you’ll support the signing no matter what
Donal’s name has 5 of the 8 letters in the name Alderson.
This guy has more faith in Sandy than Bud, Fred and Jeff combined. Sweet Jesus.
Awww, I’ve got my own little fan club.
you only wish you had as many fans as I do haha
Mine are more … dedicated. I’ve had way more intense threats and stalkers than you. What I lack in quantity, I make up for in “quality”.
Nay! I am willing to bet my name comes up more in Joe’s inbox than yours does lol
Like I said, you have quantity, I have “quality”.
Youre not the only one I feel the same Hairston should not be brought back.
As Joe D. said in his post:
“I’d love to see Hairston return in 2013. He was one of the few nice SURPRISES last season—Joe D.”
Keyword there was “SURPRISE”…Hairston had a career year while he did a good job for us he is not likely to repeat it. Not to mention he is a terrible fielder with no arm. If we’re signing terrible fielders I’d rather them bring in Delmon Young whom is younger, a better hitter and can play everyday.
Looking at Hairston’s career slash of 247/302/409 and his 2012 season 264/299/504 was there really that much difference that would make one think he couldn’t repeat at 32 years old?
Baseball reference has his average season as 20 HR and 58 RBI. In 2012 he had 20 HR and 57 RBI.
Slugging for career is 449 not 409.
Original Mets Fan
You’re right he could definitely repeat that I misspoke.
What I should of expressed was a concern with his home away splits
At Citi Field his Career stats are terrible:
113Games——-.227AVG——-.277OBP——-.723OPS
I would love Hairston back as a bat off the Bench and occasional spot starter…But, I dont want him back on a multi-year deal as a Starter or in a strict platoon….PASS
Trust me your not the only one who feels that way….
Hairston had a good year last year, hats off to him….
But it has as much to do with being protected against facing RHPs early in the season and increased playing time and coming to the end of a Contract…
He might be able to do it again provided we offer the same protection he got but then again what your likely to get is what you got in 2011 which was barely worth paying 1.1 Mil for
I don’t either. I think he sucks.
its hilarious because all of these comments about the mets haven’t done anything but lock up wright are from last Thursday, 3 days later Sandy makes one of the best trades in team history! lol I’d rather have ross bec he’s more of a proven commodity that hairston who really has had his 1st good season in the what 6 years he’s been in mlb? but I’d definitely sign up for delmon young over both! hes younger and has more power and speed on the base paths and is better defensively. the bonus is he’d only ask for what they are asking for even though he’s better! sign him and a couple of cheap relievers and then seizemore and liriano on minor league or cheap incentive deals and away we go! it’s not josh Hamilton but how many teams could’ve afforded him anyway?
“3 days later Sandy makes one of the best trades in team history”
LMAO
should we pre-emptively retire Travis’s number ?
No, but on paper the Dickey trade looks outstanding and pretty much every expert or Baseball official have lauded Alderson for getting that much current value in return.
Obviously, we won´t know how it all works out until we see how Dickey does with Toronto and how long he can sustain his greatness while we´ll have to wait even longer to find out whether D´Arnaud will become an above average catcher and / or Syndergaard a quality major league pitcher.
Omar Minaya was praised for the Santana deal, giving up rather little compared to the asking price and especially, managing to hold onto Fernando Martinez and Mike Pelfrey, i.e. the two most highly valued young players / prospects at that time. As it turned out, Santana broke down three years into his six year contract and the Mets as a team collapsed for good after the 2008 season. So, even if the trade was fine, it hasn´t worked out well for either team in retrospect. Let´s hope the Dickey deal works out for both the Mets & Blue Jays.
As for Hairston, sure, sign him, if the money isn´t absurd. Two years, 10 million $ total is fine. If it goes significantly beyond that, I´d pass and instead try to trade for a stopgap.
Too bad then that they play on Grass….
do you think you get extra credit for spending less money? Do you think the 27 banners that fly over Yankee Stadium are tainted because for all the money they spend or that their fans care that they spent all that money? Spending money is good. To have nice things you have to spend money sometimes. Let me ask you if the Sandy saves on his budget, do you think the Wilpons will be sending us season ticket holders checks???? Or that they will cut prices instead of raise prices? Tickets just went up, so you already know the answer to that.
And which exact experts were you referring to in your post? The guy who writes for the post who isn’t voting for Mike Piazza but is for Kenny Lofton because his WAR was higher???
When you strike gold in Dickey, the first move shouldn’t be to sell it off.
I wouldn’t mind Hairston coming back as long as it was part of a series of moves and by those I do not mean stopgap measures. By itself, what would it matter?
Now that we think of it, Hairston too was a kind of feel good story in a dismal 2012. Without him and R.A., other than Johan’s no-hitter, our highlight film is going to have to focus on something like that bubble-gum contest that had in 1978.
I expect to see Hairston in New York next year…in the Bronx. The Yanks starting outfield is three lefty hitters. Hairston is the perfect fit. The Yanks will get Scott.
Trade for Upton !! End of story .
Trade Familia, Flores, Murphy/Duda for Upton and a lesser player/prospect.
Why would he want to be locked up with this team for 2 or 3 years?
locked up = guaranteed to be paid many millions of dollars in 2014 no matter how much he sucks (or gets hurt) in 2013.
Trade Familar for Kubel straight up and sign Bourne to a 2 year 20 million deal
announcing that you prefer to stay with The Mets guarantees you a one way ticket out of here…on a Greyhound bus. Even one legit outfield bat is apparently too much money to spend for the Wilpons. saving the Dickey money is simply a way for the wilpons to try and recoup something from their greedy Madoff binge. there is no plan for this year, except to raise ticket prices and somehow hope for what, exactly?
I hope Mets dont re-sign Hairston. I will like to see Jose Tabata (have great talent and it cheap) or Eric Young or Adron Chambers or Alvares ( he want to much money). Also we need good Closer, remember we loose manny games last year for 1 run just because we dont have good closer. So Brian Wilson, F. Sanchez (bench) and Sizemore (bench) are in the Mets horizonte.
he way I see it…
If Dickey wasn’t worth keeping then why would signing Hairston be worth doing?
If we have punted on 2013 waiting for kids to be the core bulding blocks then play the kids who have no reason to go to AA, Let them get experience and get used to MLB pitching and if they suck well that was the plan all along when you traded away a 20 game winner wasn’t it?