Catchers:
Devin Mesoraco– Since being acquired from the Cincinnati Reds for Matt Harvey in early May, the Punxsutawney native has exceeded expectations thus far. Mesoraco has posted a 0.6 WAR since coming to New York. Though his numbers on the season (.225 BA, 8 HR, 22 RBI) do not jump off the page, the 30-year-old has provided the Mets with average offensive production and a solid arm behind the plate, and the pitching staff seems to enjoy throwing to him. Although he is unlikely to repeat his 2014 All-Star season, in which he hit 25 home runs with 80 RBI, the Mets should certainly consider re-signing Mesoraco this winter at the right price.
Grade: B-
Kevin Plawecki – The Mets’ 2012 first-round pick has failed to live up to expectations. Injuries have beset the 27-year-old backstop throughout his career. However, after playing just 37 games in 2017, Plawecki has already matched his total number of plate appearances from last season (100) in 2018, and is on pace to surpass his total games played from a season ago. Through 33 games, Plawecki is slashing .240/.361/.410 with only two home runs, nine doubles, and 10 RBI. With Plawecki being a serviceable backup to Mesoraco, the Mets have a decent tandem behind the dish.
Grade: C
Tomas Nido/Jose Lobaton/ Travis d’Arnaud – Though it’s only a small sample size, catcher Tomas Nido has not produced this season at the major-league level. In 44 at-bats, the 24-year-old hit just .159. But Nido is still young, and profiles as a decent defender behind the plate who is solid at both framing and blocking pitches. Thirty-three-year-old veteran catcher Jose Lobaton was brought in this offseason to serve as a backup to Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki. Due to his poor performance (.152/.264/.239), the front office DFA’d Lobaton back in May. However, he passed through waivers, and is currently playing in Vegas. Injuries have bedeviled Travis d’Arnaud since making his debut in 2013. Looking to build off what was the most impressive season of his career (.243 BA, 16 home runs, and 57 RBI in 112 games), the 29-year-old backstop’s 2018 campaign ended early after suffering a torn UCL in early April that forced him to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. The acquisition of Mesoraco and d’Arnaud’s required recovery time make his future with the Mets uncertain.
Grade: F
Infielders:
Asdrubal Cabrera – Cabrera, who is enjoying one of the best offensive seasons of his career, has irrefutably been the Mets’ best position player in 2018. The 32-year-old second baseman owns an impressive .281 batting average with 17 home runs, 52 RBI, and a .824 OPS. Cabrera’s strong play this season, ability to stay healthy, and the fact that he is in a walk year makes him a valuable trade chip with the July 31 deadline approaching. However, Cabrera’s limited range and -17 DRS indicate that he is a defensive liability. After providing the Mets with three average to above average seasons, it’s time for the front office to see what they can get in return for him.
Grade: A-
Amed Rosario – Although the former Mets’ top prospect has been scorching (.400/.429/.800) over his last seven games, Rosario has yet to reach his full potential. Through 90 games, the 22-year-old shortstop is hitting .246/.289/.379 with just four home runs and 23 RBI; however, he ranks fifth in the National League in triples with five. Mets’ Manager Mickey Callaway recently praised Rosario’s strong work ethic and ability to inject energy into the lineup. Rosario has experienced his share of struggles at the major-league level at the dish and in the field, but the youngster has recently provided the Mets with a glimpse into the kind of player he could become.
Grade: C-
Jose Reyes – There aren’t many positives here. Frankly, there are none. After posting respectable numbers in 2017 (.246 BA, 15 HR, 58 RBI, 24 SB), Reyes has been an abject nightmare this season. The four-time All-Star is a shadow of his former self, hitting a paltry .181/.257/.246 with only four steals. Reyes, 35, has done nothing well this season. FanGraphs rates him as a negative defender at second base, shortstop, and third base. Perhaps the only benefit to keeping him around is to have him serve as Amed Rosario’s mentor.
Grade: F
Todd Frazier – Mets’ brass presumed they were acquiring the same player who hit 11 home runs and 32 RBI for the New York Yankees just a season ago. But like the rest of their free agent signings, the New Jersey native has not panned out. Frazier has struggled mightily at the plate this season, and has been hampered by injuries. After seven seasons in the big leagues without landing on the disabled list, Todd Frazier was recently placed on it for the second time this season due to a left rib cage muscle strain. The 32-year-old possesses a scant .217 batting average with only 10 home runs and 32 RBI. Frazier’s defense has diminished, too, as his dWAR has decreased from 0.8 to 0.4 since last season.
Grade: C
Wilmer Flores – Flores has been one of the few bright spots for the 2018 Mets. Beloved by Mets fans, the versatile infielder is putting together another productive campaign, hitting at a clip of .272/.322/.460 with eight long balls and 30 RBI. He continues to show his knack for delivering in the clutch. Flores’ July 9th walk-off over the Phillies was his 10th career walk-off RBI — surpassing David Wright for the most game-ending RBIs in franchise history — and fourth this season. Defensively, the Mets have plugged Wilmer at second and third base, but he has gotten a bulk of the playing time at first. Flores is not a long-term option at first because he is a below average defender, and it is only a matter of time before highly touted prospect Peter Alonso gets promoted. Perhaps Flores gets shipped to an AL team at the deadline.
Grade: B-
Dominic Smith – The former 2013 first-round pick has overwhelmingly failed to meet expectations since making his debut last August. Not long ago, it seemed like Smith was the future at first base. After exhibiting some decent power last season (nine home runs in 167 AB’s), Smith has been putrid offensively in 2018. He has hit a dismal .183 with only one home run and one RBI thus far. Todd Frazier’s injury has given the Mets the opportunity to move Flores to third, which would allow Smith to play first regularly and provide him with the necessary at-bats to prove his value. But instead, the front office has opted to give struggling infielder Jose Reyes more playing time, which makes it patently obvious that they don’t believe in Smith.
Grade: F
