Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Position: 2B, 3B, SS, LF, RF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Date of Birth: 7/8/1987 (34)
Traditional Stats: 138 G, .279/.341/.400, 33 2B, 8 HR, 60 RBI, 9 SB
Advanced Stats: 106 OPS+, 2.1 WAR, 13.4 K%, 5 OAA
Rundown
Josh Harrison was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the sixth round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of the University of Cincinnati. He shined in his first year in the organization, hitting .305 with a .799 OPS, 15 doubles, and 18 stolen bases over 64 games.
However, his time with the Cubs was short-lived, as he was shipped off to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the 2009 trade deadline along with two other prospects in exchange for John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny. He spent the next two seasons in the minors before making his big-league debut in May of 2011. It’s only fitting that the Met killer would record his first knock in the big leagues against R.A. Dickey and the Mets.
He went on to make 65 appearances that season and was impressive in his first cup of coffee. Harrison hit 13 doubles, two triples, and his first career homer while posting a .272 batting average and a .656 OPS. He struggled over his next seasons before settling down during the 2014 campaign. Harrison was named to his first career All-Star team and ended up finishing ninth in National League MVP voting.
Harrison hit a career-high .315 (second in the NL) with a .347 OBP and .837 OPS on the year. He also recorded 38 doubles, 13 home runs, 52 RBI, and 18 stolen bases while striking out just 81 times over 143 games.
His success continued over the next two seasons, and he was again named to the NL All-Star team in 2017. Over that three-year span, he posted a .326 OBP, .730 OPS, 80 doubles, 24 homers, and stole 41 bases. Harrison was hit by a pitch on the hand early on in 2018 and missed six weeks. He ended the year, and his time in Pittsburgh, struggling to the tune of a .656 OPS with just 21 extra-base hits over 97 games.
After the Pirates declined his 2019 option, Harrison signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers. His time there was definitely one to forget, as he struggled and was ultimately released while rehabbing from a hamstring injury. That offseason, he signed a minor-league deal with the Phillies, but was again released in July after not cracking the big-league level. Harrison then stayed in division, signing with the Washington Nationals, where he finally began to look like himself.
Harrison performed well enough during his 33-game stint to earn a one-year big league deal for this past season. He continued his success in a Nationals uniform, hitting .294 with a .366 OBP, .800 OPS, 120 OPS+, 23 doubles, and just 50 strikeouts over 90 games.
The lowly Nationals shipped him off to the Oakland Athletics at the trading deadline where he finished out the year. Harrison struggled a bit in kelly green but overall finished 2021 strong. The 34-year-old showed he still has a little something left in the tank and could be a valuable piece to any team at the plate, in the field, and on the bases. Harrison made appearances at second, third, shortstop, and both corner outfield positions last season.
Contract
Harrison signed a one-year deal worth just $1 million with the Nationals last offseason. That, of course, came just one year after he was forced to settle for a minor league deal with the Phillies.
According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, Harrison’s market was quietly showing some signs of life prior to the lockout. There was reportedly 10-plus teams in the mix, with multiple offers on the table. Harrison’s role is said to be all over the place, with some teams viewing him as a second baseman, and others as more of a third baseman or in a super-utility role. It sounds like it will depend based on team need.
Nicholson-Smith mentioned the Blue Jays, Marlins, Angels, and Dodgers as potential fits. With that being said, even with numerous teams showing interest, it shouldn’t cost all that much to bring the 34-year-old in. The only question is if Harrison would rather sign with a team he’d likely get more playing time with than filling a bench spot with this Mets team as currently constructed.
Recommendation
With the additions of Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar, and Mark Canha, the Mets’ lineup seems to be just about complete for 2022. While there could be room for one more big splash, they may decide to focus more on depth.
If that were to be the case, Harrison could certainly be a fit for this team. He’s a high-energy, veteran presence who brings a ton of versatility to his club. As mentioned above, he played second, third, and some outfield this past season.
While Harrison is on the older side, he was still productive with the bat last season. His 33 doubles were the second most he’s produced in his career, and the 60 RBI were a career-high. He also produced a .341 on-base percentage on the year. Harrison could be a veteran bat off the bench, and like Jonathan Villar last season, fill-in all over the infield when needed. He also provides some speed off the bench and is a pretty good baserunner.
I’d personally rather see the Mets go all-in on revamping this lineup and add Kris Bryant to play third. Bryant is the big middle-of-the-order bat they are missing and would put this lineup over the top.
However, if they decide to leave things as is on offense and focus on rounding out the bullpen and rotation, Harrison could certainly make sense as a depth addition to this squad.
