Mets Sign Aledandro De Aza

The Mets announced today that they have signed free agent outfielder Aledandro De Aza to a 1 year contract worth 4.5 million. De Aza can play all three outfield positions and will serve as a lefty platoon to Juan Lagares. De Aza replaces Kirk Nieuwenhuis as the fifth outfielder. He has a lifetime average of .267 with an on-base percentage of .331 and a slugging percentage of .401. He's hit a total of 30 triples and has 86 career stolen bases. I like that the Mets have upgraded their bench and didn't spend more on Denard Span, who is more injury prone. I'm still hoping that they can resign Yoenis Cespedes as the starting centerfielder and have Lagares and De Aza and 4th and 5th outfielders.

Mets Resign Bartolo Colon

The Mets announced today that they have resigned RHP Bartolo Colon to a 1 year deal worth $7.25 million. Colon is coming off another successful season with a record of 14-13 and an ERA of 4.16. This was a solid signing since the Mets needed a 5th starter after Jon Niese was traded. Colon is a great veteran to have had at the back end of the rotation. He will be a real veteran leader for the Mets young starters Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, and Noah Syndergarrd.

Mets Sign Jerry Blevins

The Mets announced today that they have signed LHP Jerry Blevins for a 1 year deal worth $4 million. There is $1 million in performance bonuses. Last year, Blevins was awesome in April posting an ERA of 0.00 in April before fracturing his left forearm on a line drive. He never pitched again rest of season after reinjuring his left forearm hurt after slipping on a curb. Hopefully Blevins can regain the form that he showed in April. The Mets need him to be a real solid lefty out of the pen since it was something they really lacked last year.

Mets Leftfielder Michael Cuddyer Announces Retirement

Last night, Mets leftfielder Michael Cuddyer announced his retirement. This is coming off an injury plagued 2015 season where he only hit .259 with 10 homers and 41 RBIs. He never gave the Mets the kind production they were hoping for. He was going to get $12.5 million this year, but his early retirement allows the Mets to have some extra money freed up to sign some other free agents for centerfielder or the bullpen. Hopefully Cuddyer's retirement means that they will make an attempt to resign Yoenis Cespedes. They now have plenty of money to spend in order to resign him. Cudder was a lifetime .277 hitter with 197 homers and 794 RBIs in 15 seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, and New York Mets. He was a two-time all-star. He also won a Silver Slugger Award. His best season came in 2013 with the Rockies when he won the batting title with an average of .331 with 20 homers and 84 RBIs. I wish Cuddyer the best of luck in his retirement. I could see becoming a manager or coach in the future. In the meantime, it would be great if the Mets hired him as the bench coach for this coming season with Bob Gueren leaving for the LA Dodgers.

Mets Sign Asdrubal Cabrera

The Mets announced tonight that they have signed infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to a 2 year contract that's worth 18.5 million. Last year, Cabrera was on the Tampa Bay Rays and prior to that he was on the Washington Nationals. He has spent the majority of his career with the Cleveland Indians. Cabrera's a 2 time all-star with a lifetime batting average of .267 with a career on-base percentage of .329 and a slugging percentage of .412. He will provide the Mets with a lot of versatility since he can play shortstop, 2nd baseman, and 3b. He will start primarily at shortstop, but can also fill in for David Wright at 3b and play some 2nd as well. This was the perfect move for the Mets to make. Their infield is much more solidified with Cabrera at SS and Neil Walker at 2B. Now they can focus fully on centerfield and the bullpen.

Mets Acquire Neil Walker

The Mets announced today that they have acquired 2B Neil Walker from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for LHP Jon Niese. This was a move the Mets had to make in response to losing out on Ben Zobirist to the Chicago Cubs. Walker is a solid hitter who had 16 homers and 74 RBI's last year. He is a very solid defender as well and will help improve the Mets defense up the middle. I think that Walker can provide some power in the lineup  as a switch hitter in addition to his defense. I think that Walker can provide a real good bat and also help the infield defense. Hopefully the Mets can build off this and add a centerfielder and some help in pen.