Adam Rubin is rolling out his ever popular Pace Law Annual Salary Projection Series. In making their determinations, Pace puts together a panel that will base their projections on the following:
- The quality of the player’s contribution to his club during the past season (referred to as his “platform season”), including but not limited to his overall performance, special qualities of leadership and public appeal
- The length and consistency of his career contribution
- The player’s past compensation
- Comparative baseball salaries
- The existence of any physical or mental issues on the part of the player
- The recent performance record of the club, including but not limited to its league standing and attendance, as an indication of public acceptance
Wilmer Flores, IF
Pace Salary Projection: $2.9M
MLBTR Salary Projection: $1.9M
According to Pace, the three players that Flores will likely be compared to in the arbitration process are Neil Walker, Gordon Beckham, and Anthony Rendon.
You can read their full analysis here.
[iframe]<div style=”width:100%;margin:10px 0;”><iframe src=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/9AgnqCvdYih” width=”600″ height=”601″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no” style=”position:static;vertical-align:top;margin:0 auto;display:block;width:600px !important;max-width:100%;min-height:601px !important;max-height:none !important;border:none;overflow:hidden;”></iframe><div style=”text-align:center;font:14px/16px Helvetica,arial;color:#3d3d3d;”><a target=”_blank” href=”https://baseball-players.pointafter.com/l/5237/Wilmer-Flores” style=”color:#3d3d3d;”>PointAfter | Graphiq</a></div></div>[/iframe]
Fan-favorite Wilmer Flores put up solid numbers in 2016, setting new career highs in batting average (.267), on-base percentage (.319), and slugging percentage while matching his career high in home runs (16) in 103 games. He was on track to easily beat more of his career highs before his season ended with a wrist injury.
With the Mets’ second base situation in flux, it is hard to say at this point exactly what Flores’ role will be in 2017. It could range anywhere from a bench player, to a platoon with T.J. Rivera, or the every day starter. His value lies in his ability to play any infield position, as well as his prowess against left-handed pitching. Since 2015, in 214 plate appearances against lefties, he has hit .325/.369/.655 with a home run every 11.11 at bats. He has a better eye against lefty pitchers as well, drawing more walks (6.1% to 4.9%) and striking out less (12.1% to 13.5%).
Whichever projection is correct, anything less than $3M seems like a bargain if Wilmer continues to improve as he has.
