Joe Panik

Player Data: Age 29, B/T: L/R
Primary Stats: 39 G, 103 PA, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 7 BB, 9 SO, .277 BA, .333 OBP, .404 SLG, .738 OPS
Advanced Stats: .289 BABIP, .317 wOBA, 99 wRC+, 98 OPS+, 0.3 bWAR, 0.3 fWAR, -2 DRS, 0.2 UZR

Free Agent: 2021
Salary: $3.8 million

Grade: C

2019 Review

Joe Panik began the 2019 season where he had spent his entire professional career, in San Francisco with the Giants. The former first-round pick was a cornerstone of the franchise for some time, famously turning a clutch diving double play in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.

Not only was Panik key towards San Francisco winning that World Series, but he would go on to become an All-Star in his second season in 2015 and a Gold Glove winner in 2016. From that point on though, Panik’s career began to hit the skids, culminating in him being DFA’d on August 6th.

At the time of his release, Panik was hitting .235/.310/.317, with just three home runs and 27 RBIs in 103 games played. The New York Mets were in need for some help up the middle though, as Robinson Cano hit the IL for the third time on August 5th.

Cano’s injury opened up a spot for Panik on the roster and in the starting lineup. The Mets jumped on the opportunity to bring in the local St. John’s product, signing him for the stretch run of the season.

Panik provided the Mets with a great lift through a rough stretch of the schedule, recording hits in each of his first 10 starts playing for New York. Panik quickly became a table-setter atop the lineup, scoring 13 runs in his first month with the Mets. In August, Panik hit .288/.333/.356, with three doubles and a triple, while providing solid defense at second base.

New York would not have finished the month of August with a 17-11 record if not for the addition of Panik.

Cano was then activated off the IL on September 3rd, squeezing Panik out of the lineup for majority of the season’s final month. In spot duty, Panik hit .276/.364/.517, with two home runs in September.

2020 Outlook

While Joe Panik was a nice story, with the local kid producing in a Wild Card chase, his production was not enough to garner a roster spot in 2020.

The fact is that the Mets already have a glut of infielders with Robinson Cano, Jed Lowrie, Jeff McNeil and Luis Guillorme all being expected to be on the 2020 roster. The near $4 million that Panik would receive through arbitration is too much money for a player that would struggle to crack the lineup. He is also rather limited in his positional flexibility for a bench role, only being able to play on the right side of the infield.

Assuming he is in fact non-tendured, Panik will hit free agency for the first time in his career. Finding work may not be easy for Panik though, as he is nearly 30 years old and does not have a skill-set that is valued much nowadays with his lack of power. That could leave Panik without a major league offer, leaving the door open for a return to the Mets.

It is very conceivable to see a scenario where Panik signs a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training from the Mets, similar to the deal Adeiny Hechavarria struck with New York prior to last season. With Cano and Lowrie both being north of 35 years and coming off the most injury-riddled seasons of their respective careers, health could absolutely open up a roster spot for Panik next season.

By: Ryan Finkelstein