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.