'Glove First' shortstops

[Frayed Knot]

Just as Martin Maldonado serves as a glove-first fallback for the catching position if other avenues don't work out, the Mets have contacted several glovemen to 'bridge the gap' at SS if Amed Rosario
is included in a trade and until Andres Gimenez is ready (probably 2020). By coincidence, the Yanx are talking to some of the same in order to bridge them over their DeeDee Gregorius injury gap.

Candidates include:
- Freddie Galvis - the ex-Phillie current Padre would be "their top choice" says Joel Sherman, helped possibly by the presence of ex-Philly GM Ruben Amaro now being on the staff.
The 32 y/o Galvis "is durable (162 games each of the past two years), is a switch-hitter with a bit of pop, has a reputation as a heady player and a strong gloveman." Career OPS = 664

Adeiny Hechavarria would be No. 2 on the Mets’ list acc to Sherman (which means they've never even spoken acc to Ceetar who believes Sherman made it all up).
Turns 30 in April, Played with Pirates, Rays, and the Yanx in 2018. Career 635 OPS

And Mets do have some interest in Alcides Escobar as a defense-first utilityman. Brewers & Royals; 31 y/o; 636 career OPS

[Edgy MD]

If he looked like he was in better shape last year, I'd advocate for Luis Guillorme, perhaps with a righthanded partner.

But he looked as Tubby as Mets-era Justin Turner and as slow as Mets-era Wilmer Flores.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Galvis looks more appealing than Hechavarria, and his name is a lot easier to spell.

Both are free agents. I expect they would both want, and be able to get, more than a one-year deal. If Rosario were dealt, Galvis on a two-year deal could make sense.

[seawolf17]

Frayed Knot wrote: Career OPS = 664 Career 635 OPS 636 career OPS

Yipes.

FWIW, because I was curious:
ReyO - .594 OPS in seven Met seasons
Buddy - .611 in 13 seasons
Raffy - .607 in 4

Rosario - .674 in 200 games

[Vic Sage]

Jordy Mercer just signed with the Tigers. So how about Jose Iglesias?

[smg58]

Neither Iglesias nor Galvis would be a bad pickup. They would guarantee an upgrade at the shortstop position relative to last year, on defense alone.

Guillorme was miscast at third base last year, but the scouting reports say his glove is plus at short and plus-plus at second. I'd be OK with him getting a bench spot -- his K/BB rates were actually very encouraging, so I don't think he's hopeless as a hitter.

[Mex17]

Assuming the unthinkable (that Rosario and Nimmo both go to Miami) and additions of Pollock and Galvis. . .

McNeil-lf
Pollock-cf
Cano-2b
Frazier-3b
Conforto-rf
Realmuto-c
Alonso-1b
Galvis-ss
pitcher

I still would need Marwin Gonzalez for depth along with Pollock and Galvis. That would give you a bench consisting of. . .

Plawecki (assuming d'Arnaud is traded or cut)
Gonzalez
Rivera
Lagares
Smith or Guillorme

It could work. You get a lot of versatility with McNeil, Gonzalez, and a hopefully healthy Rivera.

Is Pollock, Gonzalez, and Galvis realistic along with at least one more bullpen piece (and hopefully two)?

It's a lot of moving parts. BVW needs to hope it all aligns exactly the right way.

[Mex17]

Or just leave Galvis or whoever else out of it.

Pollock is entreched in centerfield. Conforto to right. Gonzalez moves back and forth between short and left (just like he did for Houston). McNeil shuffles between third and left. Guillorme is your glove guy on the bench.

Pollock and Gonzalez combined probably costs you somewhere between $25-$28 million.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Mex17 wrote: Guillorme is your glove guy on the bench.

He's plus-plus-plus as a glove on the bench, IIRC.

[Mex17]

Almost on cue. . .

https://nypost.com/2018/12/12/the-defensive-force-yankees-and-mets-are-both-in-on/