Norichika Aoki has been with the Mets for over two weeks now and has done nothing but hit. In 15 games for New York, the veteran outfielder has recorded a .317/.388/.450 clip.
With the Mets shipping away Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce as well as Michael Conforto sustaining a brutal shoulder injury, Sandy Alderson needed to bring in reinforcements for the home stretch.
But does Aoki warrant a contract in 2018?
The 35-year-old is arbitration eligible for the last time this offseason and can become a free agent after next year.
In six big league seasons, Aoki is a .286/.351/.389 hitter and is currently with his seventh franchise.
The aforementioned Conforto will miss at least some portion of time next year as he works his way back from tearing his posterior capsule.
Yoenis Cespedes will man the fort in left in 2018 while Juan Lagares and Brandon Nimmo round out the remainder of the outfield corps.
When Conforto is back to being healthy, Lagares and Nimmo will ultimately split duties in central. Until then, the Mets need someone to hold down right field.
Aoki is making $5.5 million this year and will likely see a boost through arbitration for next season.
On the free agent market, there are several options the Mets could consider if they choose to part ways with Aoki.
Jarrod Dyson would be a nice fourth outfielder who has been good for 2.5 WAR this season. For his career, he has hit .258/.325/.352 in eight big league seasons.
Dyson’s best attribute is his speed. He has a career 204 stolen bases and a 68.6 UZR in the outfield. But like Aoki, he doesn’t hit for much power.
New York could also entertain the possibility of bringing Curtis Granderson back on a one-year pact as he’s familiar with the team and is a great clubhouse presence.
Granderson will be 37 next season, however, and has pondered the idea of retirement. At this stage in his career, he doesn’t bring much to the table at the plate except for the occasional power.
Then you get into some of the bigger names. Jay Bruce and J.D. Martinez are both free agents, but will likely seek multi-year deals.
My bet is that Alderson brought Aoki in with the intention of picking up his contract for next season. He’s a slap hitter who has a high on-base percentage and can go out there everyday if need be.
The Mets might bring in a lesser name for outfield insurance to go along with Aoki until Conforto returns, at which point Aoki will likely get playing time all around the outfield to spell Cespedes, Lagares and Nimmo from time to time.
With his track record at the dish, I think it would be a good call to bring his services back for next season as he helps lengthen the offense and can be a valuable commodity whether it be off the bench and as a fourth outfielder.
