Nick Cafardo wrote an article for the Boston Globe, referencing some players with large contracts that could be on the move this offseason. In that list were a few players that he imagines could be wearing a Mets uniform in 2017.
One player on his list is 31 year-old Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria. The three-time All Star and 2008 Rookie of the Year had a good year for the struggling Rays, hitting .273 while blasting 36 home runs and driving in 98.
He is very durable, having played at least 160 games every season since 2013. He is also very consistent, hitting 20 or more home runs every season except 2012 when he hit 17 in only 74 games. He is also a very good defender, having won two Gold Gloves in his career.
Contract-wise, he is owed $13.5 million for 2018, $14.5 million for 2019, $15 million for 2020, $18.5 million for 2021 and $19.5 million for 2022. There is a $13 million option for 2023 with a $5 million buyout. He would be 37 years old for that 2023 contract year.
I don’t see the Mets trading for Longoria. The Rays will want many players in return to help rebuild their franchise, and the Mets just don’t really need him right now. They have David Wright, Jose Reyes, Wilmer Flores, and T.J. Rivera who can all play third base. While Longoria is a great player, I’d pass.
Another player on Cafardo’s list is long-time Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto. Votto, 33, had yet another phenomenal year, hitting .326 and leading the National League with a .434 on base percentage. He also crushed 29 home runs with 97 RBIs, 101 runs, eight stolen bases, and a .985 OPS.
His career on base percentage (.425) is the highest among active players. The four-time All Star has finished in the top-ten in MVP voting five times, winning the award in 2010.
While the Reds are clearly in rebuilding mode, the Reds manager Dick Williams has said that he’s not shopping Votto, but will listen to offers. While he would be an immediate upgrade to any lineup, his contract might hinder many teams’ interest.
Votto will be paid $25 million every year from 2018-2023 when he will be 40 years of age. His contract contains a $20 million team option for the 2024 season with a $7 million buyout. This is exactly the kind of contract Sandy Alderson tries to avoid.
That, along with his full no-trade clause, makes me doubt the Mets will make a play for him.
With one year and $20 million left on his contract, Carlos Gonzalez will almost certainly be on the move this offseason. Posting yet another great season in which he hit .298 with 25 home runs and 100 RBIs, the three-time All Star and Gold Glover will be on the tip of general managers’ tongues at the winter meetings.
With the exception of 2014 during which he played in only 70 games, the 31 year-old has hit 20 home runs every season since 2010. His powerful bat, defensive prowess, and bearable contract make him an interesting conversation topic, but will the Mets trade for him?
Again, I think the answer is no. The Mets are focused on retaining Yoenis Cespedes and trading Jay Bruce because they have a very left-handed team. If the Mets were to trade away Bruce and bring in Gonzalez, they would be paying $7 million more for only a slight upgrade.
Now this one is interesting. Cafardo points out that with the untimely death of Jose Fernandez, Marlins’ right fielder Giancarlo Stanton‘s name has been brought up more frequently.
Stanton has as much power as anyone in the game of baseball. He has some kind of potential, but hasn’t quite lived up to it thus far having battled various injuries. While already having 208 home runs at the age of 27, he has played in more than 125 games in a season only twice.
On average, he plays in 118 games a season, averaging 30 home runs and 77 RBIs while also providing great defense in right field. In 2014 he slashed .298/395/.555 with 37 home runs, 105 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases, finishing second in MVP voting behind Clayton Kershaw.
He has a very interesting contract. He is entering the third season of a 13-year $325 million contract. He will make $25 million in 2018, and $26 million in 2019 and 2020. This is where it gets interesting, as he has an opt-out clause after the 2020 season. This would allow him to leave the remaining 8 years and $233 million on the table to pursue free agency at the age of 31.
While it is a longshot, I do believe it is possible for the Mets to pull this one off. It would be unlikely that the Marlins would trade him intra-division, however if the price is right, they could take that route as the Mets have a very strong farm system. Another roadblock is Stanton’s full no-trade clause, as while I believe he would soak up the spotlight in NYC, he has made a home for himself in Florida.
Whether or not the Mets retain Yoenis Cespedes, seeing Giancarlo Stanton in a Mets uniform would be phenomenal.
I don’t see Sandy Alderson going out of his way to trade for any of these players this offseason. With speculation that Sandy will be trading Jay Bruce and might deal Curtis Granderson, the prospect of adding another expensive bat via trade seems implausible.
