Picture courtesy of @Mets.
Today, the Mets introduced new infielder Jed Lowrie at Citi Field after his signing was made official yesterday and announced on Twitter today.
Lowrie, 34, signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the team, in which the deal is split evenly at $10 million each season.
Brodie Van Wagenen started off the speaking at the press conference glowing about Lowrie’s ability to impact the club in 2019.
“Jed is a veteran, versatile player that makes us better on the field, in the batter’s box, and in the clubhouse. As an accomplished switch-hitter, Jed also provides balance and length to our lineup.”
The former Oakland Athletics player is perfectly fine with his projected role with the team and talked about the playing time distribution among all of the infield options on the team.
“Those things always seem to work themselves out and those are good problems to have, particularly for management…At the end of the day, it’s about winning and you need depth to win.”
“I’ve been told that I will be a regular and so that’s what I’m going into it thinking.”
Van Wagenen later said that the acquisition of Lowrie was made with the idea of still keeping Todd Frazier, who somewhat appeared expendable at first glance. However, the team plans to let Jeff McNeil see time in the outfield to account for playing time needs.
Furthermore, the GM highlighted Lowrie’s familiarity with some of the Mets players and coaches while playing in Oakland and even prior to that.
“During those years, he had a chance to play with Yoenis Cespedes and a chance to work with our, now, new hitting coach, Chili Davis, and I think he built a rapport with both of those people and both of those guys are really excited to have him here and I have no doubt that the camaraderie they shared in Oakland will carry over here.”
“Another point of connectivity is Jed and Todd Frazier. I think everyone in this room knows that Todd is a character of all characters. Jed and Todd used to train together in the offseason when they were in their younger days down at an academy in Florida…I look forward to hearing about the good-natured banter that will occur between these two guys.”
Lowrie will be taking Wilmer Flores‘ vacated number four jersey. Ironically enough, Flores signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on the same day.
As Van Wagenen pronounced early in the press conference, “Jedi, welcome to the Mets. And may the force be with us all.”
