The New York Mets have tendered contracts to all eight players eligible for arbitration, the team just announced. No man left behind…
Ruben Tejada and Addison Reed were the only two players really on the bubble, but both will be back next season.
On another note, our prayers and thoughts go out to all the victims and families of today’s tragic mass shooting in San Bernardino, CA.
(Updated 12/2)
Arbitration Eligible
Ruben Tejada – $1,880,000 ($2.5M)
Lucas Duda – $4,200,000 ($6.8M)
Addison Reed – $4,875,000 ($5.7M)
Carlos Torres – $585,000 ($800K)
Jenrry Mejia – $2,595,000 ($2.6M)
Matt Harvey – $650,000 ($4.7M)
Jeurys Familia – $525,000 ($3.3M)
Josh Edgin – $520,000 ($600K)
The first number represents their salary for the 2015 season, and the second number in parentheses is the projected salary by MLB Trade Rumors.
It’s going to be the most expensive arbitration periods the Mets have had since Sandy Alderson took over as general manager in 2010. Lucas Duda, Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia alone represent roughly $7 million in raises.
What I’m really curious to see is if they tender contract offers to relievers Addison Reed and Jenrry Mejia on Wednesday.
As you know, Ruben Tejada is reportedly going to be non-tendered because the team is unwilling to to pay him $2.5 million or more to be a backup infielder and they also have concerns about his twice-fractured fibula.
The Mets will probably turn to Matt Reynolds instead, who is younger and could be more productive at the plate. And I’m sure they’ll bring in someone on a minor league deal to compete with Reynolds in Spring Training.
Currently, the Mets have five players with guaranteed commitments for the 2016 season.
Guaranteed Contracts
David Wright – $20,000,000
Curtis Granderson – $16,000,000
Michael Cuddyer – $12,500,000
Jon Niese – $9,050,000
Juan Lagares – $2,500,000
That adds up to $60,050,000 in guaranteed contracts. Michael Cuddyer’s contract looks like an albatross at this point, and there’s a sense that they will try to unload Jon Niese to anyone that would take him to give the team some added payroll flexibility.
The only two free players the Mets may consider bringing back are left-handed reliever Jerry Blevins and utility infielder/outfielder Kelly Johnson. We’ll know more in the coming days.
Thoughts
Would you bring back Addison Reed for $5.7 million dollars? I wouldn’t. His numbers don’t show it but he was getting hit pretty hard in his short stint with the Mets and three great plays by Conforto and Granderson saved his ass in the World Series. He wasn’t fooling anyone with his stuff. I’d rather see the Mets go after Tony Sipp as a 7th inning guy and one that could get left-handed hitters out as well.
Non-tendering Ruben Tejada is the right way to go… There’s just too much upside to ignore with Matt Reynolds and it’s time for him to show what he can do. I feel bad for Tejada, but this is a business.
It looks like the Mets are leaning toward tendering Jenrry Mejia and they’ve been monitoring him at Winter Ball. But he’s looked awful so I’m not sure if they will pay $2.6 million for a reliever who isn’t returning from his suspension until late July.
