Everyone loves a big splash. Stars like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado grab all the headlines, but sometimes it’s the under the radar free agents that can make or break a team’s season.
Van Wagenen’s move to acquire Wilson Ramos is exactly that type of unheralded, yet crucial addition. The 31-year-old all-star provides a massive upgrade at the catcher, lengthens the lineup, and comes with a bargain contract at two years $19M.
The underrated backstop led all MLB Catchers in batting average (.306), slugging percentage (.487) and wOBA (.361) in 2018 with the Rays and Phillies. Ramos also posted similar numbers with the Nationals in 2016 with a .307/.354/.496 slash line, which shows that he is a proven stud and not merely a one-year wonder.
This standout production is something the Mets have sorely lacked in recent years. Last season the Mets’ catchers led by Kevin Plawecki, Devin Mesoraco and Tomas Nido, combined to produce a meager triple slash line of .202/.289/.353.
Unlike the weak hitting Plawecki, Ramos’ bat is a serious threat in the lineup, and he produces like a middle of the order hitter. Ramos’ .845 OPS solidifies the Mets’ attack and gives them a much needed right handed hitter to balance out the team’s left handed heavy lineup.
While Ramos was not Van Wagenen’s first target, the new GM played the catching market intelligently. He didn’t cave into the Marlins’ excessive demands for JT Realmuto, and he moved on from Yasmani Grandal after the former Dodger reportedly rejected a four-year 60M deal from the Mets.
These developments bceame a blessing, as the Mets got a similarly productive player on a cheaper deal. Out of all three of these targets, the Mets arguably got the best hitter.
From 2016 to 2018:
- Ramos: .351 wOBA
- Grandal: .342 wOBA
- Realmuto: .339 wOBA
While offense isn’t everything, especially for catchers, it’s impressive that the Mets got a strong hitting catcher at such a cheap price. MLB Trade Rumors projected Ramos to sign a three-year 36M deal, so Van Wagenen’s negotiating skills really paid off and got the Mets a great deal.
In WAR, Ramos trails Realmuto and Grandal from 2016-2018 because of defense and missed time due to injuries. But defensive metrics for catchers aren’t as concrete as they are for other positions, so they should be approached with more skepticism.
- Realmuto: 12.3 WAR (403 games)
- Grandal: 9 WAR (395 games)
- Ramos: 6.2 (306 games)
Ramos may not be the better overall player, but he is the better value. Realmuto would have cost the Mets a core player (or two), and while Grandal settled for a one-year 18M pact with the Brewers, that was at least partially because Van Wagenen hurt his market by unexpectedly getting Ramos.
Grandal also had a qualifying offer attached to him while Ramos did not.
Ramos certainly isn’t without his flaws. He isn’t the best defensive catcher, and he also hasn’t been the most durable during his career. But if Ramos was a perfect player, the Mets never would have gotten him at such a low cost.
Many were afraid that the league would take advantage of Van Wagenen, especially after the rookie General Manager paid a high price for Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano. But his solid moves for players like Ramos show those initial concerns were overblown and that he is a shrewd negotiator.
Not only did Van Wagenen make an excellent deal for Ramos, but he also signed Jed Lowrie, Jeurys Familia and Justin Wilson to reasonable deals. These moves bolstered the Mets’ depth and their bullpen, which were weaknesses that ravaged the team in recent years.
Even though the Mets are extremely unlikely to sign Harper or Machado, it’s been a strong offseason for Van Wagenen and it’s not over yet. The fact that the Mets aren’t inerested in the two premier free agents has more to do with ownership rather than the new GM.
