Mets Sign Russ Adams
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Sorry … I was shaking with so much excitement when I heard the news that the Mets signed Russ Adams that I could barely type!
Yes, it’s true — the Mets have finally landed a low-cost, lefthanded-hitting, super-utilityman who can ably man both middle infield positions as well as fill in at 3B and the OF if necessary.
Oh wait, didn’t they already sign Alex Cora? Well then I guess Russ Adams is the “backup to the backup”, as Jerry Manuel might say.
Which further begs the question: if someone with Adams’ skill set is available for a paltry minor-league deal and MLB-minimum salary, what was the point of signing Cora to an extravagant and guaranteed $2M contract (with an option, no less) ?
Oh, right … Adams doesn’t have nearly the same “influence in the clubhouse”. Whatever.
I like this signing. Adams is a hustling, athletic performer who never quite fulfilled the promise attached to his status as a former #1 pick, but is fine as a bench man / AAA depth. His hitting is only so-so but he has shown good discipline / strike zone judgment, is fundamentally sound, and can play all areas of the game. His arm might be a little weak to play shortstop over a long period of time but it’s fine for second base and he’s otherwise solid on defense. There was a point early in his career that scouts compared him to Brian Roberts, and he was an everyday player for the Blue Jays as recently as 2005.
About the Author
A Mets fan since birth, Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Oh, and he's often a bit cranky.
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Don’t get too excited the rival Braves just brought in Eric Hinske. It’s an arms race.
Every team makes a ton of minor league signs. So what, they are all who cares signs. If you get lucky the guy gives two decent weeks when someone gets hurts. There are hundreds of these guys around. Maybe Cora didn’t deserve 2 mil, but why not an employee deserves his salary if its what he and his employer agree to. His role has nothing to do with this AAAA guy getting signed. If this were the infield sign vice Cora every Met fan would have been blasting away at signing on the cheap. Just like this site and many others did about all the catcher signings.
Harry – it is our job as rabid Mets fans to question every decision and complain about 75% of them LOL ! It’s the only way many of us can get through the long winter!
But you just pointed out the problem with the Cora signing: there are hundreds of guys like him around, so why pay him $2M and lock up a roster spot? In this day of 12- or 13-man pitching staffs it is crucial to be as flexible as possible with the remaining roster spots.
I have a trade proposal to improve the pitching and defense. Mets trade Pelfrey, Parnell, Castillo, low level minor leaguer or if they want Murphy to the Reds for Arroyo/Phillips. Arroyo will replace Pelfrey in the rotation. Arroyo on his worst year is as good as Pelfrey on his best year. Check the stats. Phillips would provide defense at second base as well as speed and power.
We resign Delgado and sign a Ben Sheets and let Thole and Santos catch. Team gets younger on the field with Phillips. The Rotation is stable in that you get a 200+ inning guy in Arroyo. And you take a shot at your number 2 with Sheets.
All those moves and you only spend 26 million and you dont have anyone for more than 2 years.
Arroyo 2 years at 12 mil per
Phillips 2 years 6.5 in 2010 and 11 mil in 2011
Sheets 1 year 7 mil incentive laden
Delgado 1 year 5 mil incentive laden
Sign a Beimel/Calero for the bullpen. 1 year 2-3 mil
MINUS
Castillo’s 6 mil in 2010 and 2011
Team looks like this…
Reyes
Phillips
Beltran
Bay
Wright
Delgado
FCore
Thole/Santos
Pitcher
Power, Speed, Defense and a good mix of youth and veterans.
Bench
Pagan
Evans
Cora
Santos
Bullpen
KRod
Escobar
Igarashi
Stokes
Feliciano
Beimel
Nieve/Figeuroa for long relief and to spot start
Rotation…
Santana
Sheets
Arroyo
Perez
Maine
Niese in the minors to be called up WHEN someone gets injured or doesnt perform well.