New York Mets Brodie Van Wagenen continuing to overhaul roster
New general manager Brodie Van Wagenen is not sitting around, as he has aggressively overhauled the New York Mets roster.
One has to give New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen credit – he is not waiting around to improve the roster.
Seemingly since the moment he took office, Van Wagenen has looked to completely remake the roster. He has sent Jay Bruce and Anthony Swarzak packing, getting Robinson Cano to man second and an actual closer in Edwin Diaz. Jeurys Familia is back, serving in a setup role for the newly acquired closer, as Van Wagenen looks to transform the bullpen into a strength.
Now, he has seemingly fixed another area of need. The days of Kevin Plawecki, Devin Mesoraco, Travis d’Arnaud, and others of that ilk serving as the primary catcher are over, at least for the next two years. Wilson Ramos, arguably the best catcher in free agency, is heading to New York, inking a two year deal with an option for 2021.
Ramos is due $8.25M in 2019 & $9.25M in 2020. Plus $1.5M buyout for the 2021 team option of $10M, that’s $19M guaranteed, per source.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) December 16, 2018
And apologies for any delay or lack of credit; I’m on a plane. @DaniAlvarez_16 had Ramos agreement first. @SteveGelbs is sitting across from me.
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It is a move that certainly makes sense for the Mets. Ramos, when healthy, has been one of the better hitting catchers over the past three years, having two seasons with over 400 plate appearances and an OPS+ over 120. As Andrew Simon pointed out, the last catcher in Mets history to reach those marks in the same year was Mike Piazza. In 2002.
This signing also seems to take them out of the J.T. Realmuto Sweepstakes. Ramos is an offensive upgrade even over Realmuto, with an OPS 34 points higher over the past three seasons. Even with the time that Ramos missed, he had just one fewer home run despite 492 fewer plate appearances. That desire to upgrade the offense behind the plate has been accomplished.
There are other moves that the Mets will need to make this offseason. The bullpen could use another arm or two, first base remains unsettled, and there is a need for another outfielder. Plus, there is the ongoing speculation that Noah Syndergaard is on the trade block, something that must make Mr. Met happy. It may just be a matter of how much money Van Wagenen is allowed to spend, but the Wilpons have opened the vault thus far.
Next. Syndergaard trade would set a precedent. dark
The New York Mets have upgraded another spot on their roster with Wilson Ramos. Chances are, this will not be the last addition that Brodie Van Wagenen makes this offseason.