Todd Frazier

Position: Third Base / First Base

Bats: Right – Throws: Right

Born: Feb. 12, 1986 (31)

Traditional Stats: 147 G, 576 PA, 474 AB, 74 R, 101 H, 19 2B, 3B, 27 HR, 76 RBI, 4 SB, 3 CS, .213/.344/.428

Advanced Stats: 3.4 bWAR, 3.0 fWAR, 105 OPS+, 108 wRC+

Fielding Stats: 10 DRS, 6.7 UZR

For the past few seasons, Frazier has sat on the trading block. With the health status of David Wright and Frazier growing up in Toms River, New Jersey, there were many who naturally linked Frazier to the team. Even with many people mentioning the infielder as a natural fit, New York never seemed to get very far in any trade discussions for him.

In many ways that is interesting. The oft discussed reason for the Mets perceived lack of interest was he was not the type of player they covet. In his career, Frazier has never been a high OBP player posting a career mark of .321. However, over the past few seasons, New York has not appeared to be focused on OBP. In fact, when they traded for Yoenis Cespedes, he had a career .317 OBP. Frazier’s former teammate Jay Bruce had a career .319 OBP when the Mets obtained him at the trade deadline last year.

Looking at those players, a low OBP is not the only thing Frazier has in common with them. He is also a slugger. Since 2013, Frazier has played at least 150 games a season and has averaged 27 doubles, a triple, 27 homers, and 83 RBI. Those are the type of power numbers the Mets have liked the past few seasons.

If Frazier is indeed similar to Bruce and Cespedes, that would suggest there’s still some untapped potential. The Mets hope to retain both Kevin Long and Pat Roessler, the hitting coaches that helped get the most out of Bruce and Cespedes, despite the former being granted permission to interview for the Nationals managerial vacancy. With Frazier posting a career high .344 OBP, it would certainly suggest his improving offensively is possible.

Even if the doesn’t approve offensively, Frazier has value because he is a good defender at third base. His 10 DRS was a career high, but not that far off from the 6 DRS he averaged from 2013-15. In essence, he’s a good defender at third, which is vastly superior to the play the Mets have seen at the position since Wright was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. It’s also much better than the -8 DRS and -3.1 UZR Mike Moustakas put up this season.

Additionally, Frazier has some experience at first base. This would give the Mets the option to move him across the diamond when they play left-handed pitching, especially tough left-handed pitching.

Another element to consider is Frazier is performing in New York with the Yankees. In his 66 games wearing the pinstripes, Frazier hit .222/.365/.423 with four doubles, a triple, 11 homers and 32 RBI.

Contract:

At this time, there are no reports about what Frazier’s market is or what he could command in free agency. As of the moment, he is widely considered to be the second best third base option on the market.

For the sake of comparison, Justin Turner was coming off a 5.0 WAR season in 2016, and the Dodgers gave the then 31-year-old a four year, $64 million contract. It is certainly difficult seeing Frazier getting the same amount of years and average annual value.

This season, in his last year of arbitration, Frazier is making $12 million. It is difficult to believe he would command an average annual value higher than this in free agency. Ultimately, we could see Frazier receive a two to three year contract worth $12 – $14 million annually.

Recommendation:

Given how the Mets have suffered offensively and defensively at the position over the past few seasons, Frazier would present an upgrade.  That includes an upgrade over Asdrubal Cabera, who is coming off another injury plagued season. It is Cabrera that presents the real challenge.

The Mets have openings at second and third base heading into the 2018 season. Assuming they pick up Cabrera’s $8.5 million option, the team could put him at either position. In his career, Cabrera has not played well defensively at second, but he did play well at third this season.

In the end, if the Mets want to improve offensively and defensively at the third base position, they are going to have to have to sign a free agent. Considering salary, defense and offense, Frazier is most likely the best option on the free agent market. Accordingly, the Mets should pursue Frazier above all other non-trade options.