Mets Rumor Roundup: Free agent A.J. Pollock up next after Wilson Ramos signing?

Plus updates on the relief market

12/17/2018, 3:15 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock warms up before his at-bat against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at AT&T Park. / Stan Szeto/USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock warms up before his at-bat against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at AT&T Park. / Stan Szeto/USA TODAY Sports

The Mets remain in the market for an everyday center fielder and possibly one or two more additions to the bullpen, particularly a left-handed reliever.

Here are the latest rumors from each of the above markets, followed by my take...

The everyday catcher

The Mets and free-agent C Wilson Ramos agreed to a two-year, $19 million contract on Sunday. The contract also includes a $10 million club option or a $1.5 million buyout for 2021, according to James Wagner of the NY Times.

The Dodgers also had interest in Ramos, but were only interested in giving him a one-year contract, reports Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times.

Meanwhile, MLB.com's Jon Morosi reports that the Angels -- another team that had interest in Ramos -- might now turn to Yasmani Grandal, who the Mets had been weighing signing along with Ramos. 



Ramos always had the Mets as his first choice, added Fancred.com's Jon Heyman.

Search for an everyday center fielder

Free-agent OF A.J. Pollock is still among players the Mets have interest in acquiring to play center field, Fancred.com's Jon Heyman tweeted Sunday.

The Blue Jays are reportedly shopping Kevin Pillar.

INSIGHT & ANALYSIS >> In the event Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen wants a less offense, more defensive center fielder, the 29-year-old Pillar should be considered. He's good for 15 home runs, but that's about all he'll do at the plate. The thing is, he's been so good in the field, he's still been a 2.0 WAR player.

In regards to Pollock, during last week's MLB Winter Meetings, he was reportedly asking for a six-year, nine-figure deal. However, it seems he'll eventually sign a deal closer to three years and around $15 million each season. If able to play 150 or so games, with his talent and age, he'd be a bargain at just three years.



The problem is that he has missed at least 40 games each of the past two years. So, on a team like the Mets, who have been decimated by injuries the past two years, Pollock's inability to remain on field for a full season is the opposite of what Van Wagenen said he was wanting to acquire, which is an everyday, reliable player up the middle.

The Braves have no plans to trade center fielder Ender Inciarte, per Heyman.

Adding a left-handed reliever...

There's at least one team that is interested in trading for veteran LHP Mike Minor, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. That said, Rangers GM Jon Daniels recently told reporters he's looking to add to his bullpen -- not trade away pitching.

Minor struggled in 28 starts for the Rangers this past season. However, he had a 2.55 ERA (2.62 FIP) in 65 relief appearances the previous season, during which left-handed batters hit .163 against him. He is due $9.8 million each of the next two seasons.

Free-agent LHP Andrew Miller, who is reportedly seeking a three- to four-year deal, is still available, and multiple teams continue to show interest in signing him.



Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact) is lead writer of MetsBlog.com, which he created in 2003. He also hosts the MetsBlog Podcast, which you can subscribe to here. His new book, The New York Mets Fans' Bucket List, details 44 things every Mets fan should experience during their lifetime. To check it out, click here!

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