New York Mets: Yasmani Grandal and the face of regret
By David Hill
The New York Mets added their catcher for the next two years in Wilson Ramos. However, he was not their first target.
It was not a secret that the New York Mets needed to upgrade at catcher this offseason. Mets catchers ranked 22nd in the majors with a .652 OPS, as the trio of Devin Mesoraco, Kevin Plawecki, and Travis d’Arnaud struggled. In all, five different catchers suited up for the Mets last year, producing a combined .208/.297/.355 batting line with 17 homers.
The Mets did just that when they signed Wilson Ramos to a two year deal worth $19 million, and an option for 2021. Ramos, if healthy, would certainly improve the Mets offense from the catcher position, as he produced a .306/.358/.487 batting line with 15 homers last season. That is the type of production that the Mets have not had from a catcher since the days of Mike Piazza.
Yet, Ramos was not the Mets first choice. Instead, they initially targeted Yasmani Grandal, reportedly offering a four year deal worth $60 million. When Grandal declined, the Mets moved quickly, snagging the second best catcher on the market in Ramos.
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This may be a decision that Grandal comes to regret. There are teams that are looking to improve at catcher, particularly the Red Sox and Reds. The Dodgers could bring Grandal back after he declined their qualifying offer. The White Sox could be a possibility as well, even though they signed James McCann.
However, Grandal is not the only option out there. The trade market for catching may be robust, especially as J.T. Realmuto is still on the block. Pittsburgh may look to trade Francisco Cervelli, who would be an interesting target as a one year rental for a team like the Dodgers. The Angels, who had been linked to Grandal, pivoted to the more affordable Jonathan Lucroy.
Grandal would certainly be a boost to the lineup. He has been a solid power threat throughout his career, which continued last year, when he had a .241/.349/.466 batting line, hitting 24 homers and 23 doubles. However, the enduring image of Grandal from 2018 involved his dreadful postseason, where he was suddenly unable to hit and became a sieve behind the plate.
There are still teams in need of an upgrade behind the plate. Yet, as Grandal sits in free agency, teams are finding other, more cost effective options to fill that void. It is possible that interest in Grandal will increase once the trade market for catching is finalized. Even when that happens, he may not find another deal like the one that the Mets offered awaiting him on the market.
dark. Next. The savior New York City needed
The New York Mets reportedly offered Yasmani Grandal a four year contract worth $60 million. He may come to regret not taking that offer.