The Mets have reached an agreement with Albert Almora waiting for a physicist, and it is possible that it will be resolved how they will focus on the central field this season, with the former Cub serving as a caddy for Brandon Nimmo.
But they’ve done so much background work on Jackie Bradley Jr. that I will continue to believe that if the designated hitter is adopted by the NL and Bradley remains a free agent at the time, the Mets will at least consider him.
Last week, the Mets held an extended Zoom meeting with Bradley, which included team president Sandy Alderson, incumbent GM Zack Scott, coach Chili Davis and first base / off-field coach Tony Tarasco. Scott, in particular, has known Bradley well since his timeshare working with the Red Sox.
The problem has been that Bradley never fully adapts to the Mets, as they are built without being able to use a DH. His presence would have forced the Mets to decide every day who does not play between Bradley, Nimmo, Pete Alonso and Dom Smith.
Right now, MLB is proceeding as if there is no universal DH in 2021. But many executives and team agents think a last-second reversal may still occur, in part because the union wants it, but they do it too. the clubs to further protect the pitchers. MLB has been unwilling to cede it and hand it over to the union without getting reciprocity in any way. His preference has been to change it to extended playoffs. The union has been firm and it is not an exchange it would make.
If the NL adopted the DH, it could be argued that no free agent still available would help the 2021 Mets more than Bradley because of a domino effect: Bradley is an elite central defense player, who would move Nimmo from below. a midfielder to a left-handed player above average, who would move Dom Smith from a below-average left player to at least a first-half first baseman and make Pete Alonso, a first-base player below Smith, was the DH.
This would improve the Mets ’offense by keeping all bats in training. But most of all, it would help launch staff with a much better defense. The Mets have been an abysmal defensive team in recent years. But if they were ever able to get Bradley to free agency or Lorenzo Cain of Milwaukee in a trade (they owe Cain $ 35 million over the next two years), their half-alignment would be Wilson Ramos, Robinson Cano, Amed Rosario and Nimmo to James McCann, Jeff McNeil, Francisco Lindor and Bradley / Cain. So, from one of the worst to one of the best.
In theory, if the DH reached the National League, the Mets could try to sign Justin Turner to, for example, play in the 110-game third base and the DH 50. But that would hardly affect the defense.
For now, the Mets are doing low-cost protection with Almora. Essentially, it would play the role that Jake Marisnick played last year as a complement to Nimmo. Except Marisnick is better on both sides of the ball than Almora.
Now, former Mets GM Jared Porter was the head of the Cubs ’professional scouts in 2016, when Almora broke in and there was a belief that he would become a two-way asset. But Almora looks a lot like Juan Lagares. He had early and offensive defense promises. But the offense never came and now even the defense has retreated at least a degree.
Maybe Almora starts against the left-handers, though he’s only managed .212 against southpaws with a .533 OPS the last two seasons. He probably plays defense late, though among the 59 center-backs with the most attempts last year, Almora ranked 45th in outings above average. Nimmo, however, was 58th. Bradley came in second.
Essentially, Almora checks a box: a reason beater that is better in the center than Nimmo. Thus, the Mets hired him to play a role. Bradley is a much bigger difference maker, which is why teams like the Red Sox, Giants, Astros and a few others remain committed. If the DH reaches the NL and Bradley remains available, the Mets should jump in or try to switch to Cain.