Hosmer - or other 1B ideas for 2018

[Benjamin Grimm]

I just hope that there is a big spot.

[Centerfield]

My goal is to make it out of April 2018 without being mathematically eliminated.

Which I don't think happened in April 2017.

[Centerfield]

Also, Carlos Santana. Looked at his numbers. Kinda looks like Duda with a little less power.

[Ceetar]

Centerfield wrote: Also, Carlos Santana. Looked at his numbers. Kinda looks like Duda with a little less power.

They're very similar. Santana walks more, homers less. Fangraphs seems to have Duda as the slightly better defender. Switch hitter though.

I mean, they're both pretty good so you can't really go wrong and I'm not sure it's even reasonable to expect Smith to ever be _better_ than that?

[Lefty Specialist]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I just hope that there is a big spot.

[Mex17]

Let's not forget about Mitch Moreland and Mark Reynolds, even though you may want to. They are out there however, and it is not unreasonable to think that one of them might end up as Mets if they are really serious about bringing in a first baseman and whiff on Hosmer, Santana, Morrison, and Alonso.

Reynolds in particular is a little interesting since, as a righty, he might not totally block Smith.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/30452

http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/28772

[MFS62]

Mex17 wrote: whiff on Hosmer, Santana, Morrison, and Alonso. Reynolds in particular is a little interesting since, as a righty, he might not totally block Smith. http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/30452 http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/28772

Whiff is an interesting choice of words, since Reynolds had piled up lots of strikeouts to go along with his home runs. but his OPS is still better than Moreland, and the fact that he hits righty would be a plus. And he has even played a little third base.
Not a bad suggestion.

Later

[Mex17]

MFS62 wrote: whiff on Hosmer, Santana, Morrison, and Alonso. Reynolds in particular is a little interesting since, as a righty, he might not totally block Smith. http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/30452 http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/28772 Whiff is an interesting choice of words, since Reynolds had piled up lots of strikeouts to go along with his home runs. but his OPS is still better than Moreland, and the fact that he hits righty would be a plus. And he has even played a little third base. Not a bad suggestion. Later

You have to figure that some of the HRs and OPS is Colorado inflated though.

[Lefty Specialist]

Didn't Reynolds go crazy in a series in Citi a few years ago, with like 4 homers in 3 games?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Jon Heyman wrote: The Mets, Angels and Phillies are new surprise players for Indians free agent first baseman Carlos Santana in what could wind up being spirited bidding for the second-best first-base option on the market. At least the Red Sox, Mariners and incumbent Indians also are believed to have interest in Santana, who is thought to be drawing interest from as many as 10 teams.

[Centerfield]

Red Sox out on Hosmer per multiple reports.

Speculation now is he might go back to KC.

Maybe Sandy kicks the tires? I wonder if one of these big names will end up being a bargain like Encarnacion.

[smg58]

Now that the Phillies have greatly inflated the market for first basemen, I don't anticipate any sneaky bargains here.

[Edgy MD]

Well, somebody's going to take a chance on Attorney General Adrian Gonzalez, and he's probably not going to be as bad as he was last year.

[Frayed Knot]

The Rdd Sox re-upped Mitch Moreland on a two year deal.

[Centerfield]

Hosmer offered 7 years, $147 from the Royals.

Lots of money for KC. Kinda surprising. I don't see them as being realistic contenders.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2018/01/03/eric-hosmer-offered-seven-year-147-million-deal-return-royals/998796001/

[nymr83]

It doesn't seem like a very wise deal for a rebuilding team to invest all that money especially in a first baseman which at the end of the day is going to be the easiest position to shove some guy you find later on with a bat and no glove into. pretty sure they'll regret this one.

[Centerfield]

Nymr83 wrote: It doesn't seem like a very wise deal for a rebuilding team to invest all that money especially in a first baseman which at the end of the day is going to be the easiest position to shove some guy you find later on with a bat and no glove into. pretty sure they'll regret this one.

He might be the token "face of the franchise" guy they use to sell tickets during the lean years. Plus maybe they feel like if he's good, they can unload him for prospects.

I don't know. It's puzzling.

[Edgy MD]

Sure makes that Votto deal look like a steal, huh?

[Centerfield]

I’m cool with Votto.

[nymr83]

I don't think either deal ends well, but Votto isnt just a guy, he's a perennial MVP candidate, the kind of player that makes you tell Dom Smith "have fun in Milwaukee" as you trade him for pitching. I'd happily see the Met take Votto now even if there is some 'dead money' coming at the end.

[Centerfield]

There will certainly be dead money. You trade for Votto anyway. Then deal Smith for a second baseman or pitching help.

[Edgy MD]

Well, I think Smith is the first piece in the Votto package.

[ashie62]

Votto is staying put as a Red for 2018 >

[Edgy MD]

He certainly is with that kind of attitude.