Edwin Díaz set to make his spring debut on Monday
Edwin Díaz set to make his spring debut on Monday
Plus, with JD Davis having been waived by the Giants, should the Mets consider bringing him in?
What’s up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets fell to the Tigers by a score of 3-2 (box)
RHP Adrian Houser got the start and struck out five in 3.1 scoreless innings
3B Mark Vientos went 1-for-3 at the plate blasting his second home run of spring
Both Adam Ottavino and Jake Diekman pitched scoreless innings in relief
RHP Shintaro Fujinami struggled in his appearance and gave up two runs, one earned, in two thirds of an inning
Injury Updates 🏥
RHP Edwin Díaz (recovery from knee surgery) will return to the mound against the Marlins for the first time since suffering a right patellar tendon tear last year
Today’s Game 🗓️
Match-up: Mets (8-6) vs. Marlins (5-7)
Where: Clover Park – Port St. Lucie, FL
Starters: RHP Tylor Megill (1-1, 1.13 ERA) vs. LHP Trevor Rogers (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
When: 6:10 PM EST
Where To Watch: SNY
Should the Mets bring JD Davis back? ✍️
JD Davis has been placed on waivers by the Giants after they signed Matt Chapman to a multi-year deal.
The question I was pondering this weekend is, should the Mets consider bringing Davis back?
His tenure with the Mets started off strong in 2019 after being acquired that offseason by Brodie Van Wagenen. He slugged 22 home runs that year and seemed to thrive at Citi Field. In 71 games at home, he hit .354/.413/.665 with a 1.078 OPS, a new Mets record. Unfortunately, he could not replicate that tantalizing first season and he was not able to hit enough to make up for his lack of defense in the field.
Without a position here, he was shipped off to the Giants for Darin Ruf at the 2022 trade deadline. That didn’t go well for the Mets, to say the least.
But Davis is available again, this time on the waiver wire.
Last year with San Francisco, Davis hit just .248/.325/.413 with 18 home runs and 69 RBIs with subpar whiff and strikeout percentages. His OPS also fell to .738, so the Giants added Chapman upgrade, leaving Davis on the outside looking in.
The Mets are also in need of an upgrade themselves. At least from a depth perspective.
Brett Baty hit just .212/.275/.323 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 109 games last season. Mark Vientos didn’t fare much better and similarly hit .211/.253/.367 with nine home runs and 22 RBIs. His OPS was a meager .620 and Baty’s even worse at .598.
While Davis’s numbers are certainly trending in the wrong direction from his 2019 highs, he is still just 30-years-old and could serve as a parachute for both Baty and Vientos if neither of them can pull their weight. Even if the Mets want to give those two a longer look at third base, which they’ve made clear at this point they will do, Davis could get plenty of opportunities as a designated hitter. He is making just $6.9 million this season which will probably be cheaper than what the other JD on the market is seeking.
And, if he gets released, the Mets could have Davis for the league minimum.
JD Martinez made $10 million last season with the Dodgers and put together a strong year where he hit .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs and 103 RBIs. He is clearly the superior player and seeking a multi-year deal, but he is also 36-years-old and a that could be risky. If his price comes down and he is willing to take a one-year deal than the Mets should absolutely sign him.
But if he is unwilling to go that route, Davis presents a viable low-cost option.
Around The League 🚩
The Mariners signed reliever Ryne Stanek to a one-year deal after placing Jackson Kowar on the 60-day IL
Marlins starter Edward Cabrera did not make his start after suffering right shoulder tightness in warmups
Rays OF Jonny DeLuca will miss four to six weeks of action after being diagnosed with a broken hand
Orioles prospect Jackson Holliday crushed a grand slam for his first home run of spring