Mets Sign Jason Vargas

Jason Vargas

The New York Mets have signed LHP Jason Vargas today for two-years $16 million with a club option for 2020. Vargas has spent the last four seasons with the Kansas City Royals under Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland. He was traded to the Mets in 2006 from the Marlins and remained a Met until 2008 before being traded to the Seattle Mariners for reliever JJ Putz. Vargas had a career year last season after he lead the American League with 18 wins and made his first All-Star team. He gives the rotation depth which is important due to all of the question marks with the health of the starting pitchers. It will be important for Vargas to give 25-30 starts, since it is uncertain how many starts the other pitchers will be able to make.This was a signing that the Mets had to make and it gives their rotation more depth and a veteran arm to rely on. 

Mets Sign Todd Frazier

Todd Frazier

The New York Mets have signed third baseman Todd Frazier to a two-year deal worth $17 million. His contract says that he would receive an additional $500,000 if he is traded. Last year, Frazier hit .213 with 27 homers and 76 RBI's in 147 games with the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. He has hit 102 homers since 2012 which is 12th in the Majors. Frazier is a two-time All-Star and won the Home Run Derby in 2015. He grew up in Toms River, NJ and helped them win the Little League World Series in 1998 before later starring at Rutgers University. Frazier is known to be a great influence in the clubhouse and will help serve as a mentor to the younger players. He will provide power in the lineup and a solid glove at third base. Frazier will make a big difference on and off the field this year and impart veteran leadership.

Mets Trade Josh Smoker

Former Mets reliever Josh Smoker

The New York Mets announced today that they have traded LHP Josh Smoker to the Pittsburgh Pirates for LHP Daniel Zamora and cash considerations. Last week, Smoker was designated for assignment to make room for infielder Jose Reyes on the 40-man roster. Last year, he had a 5.11 ERA, 1.70 and allowed 10 homers in 56.1 innings. Zamora went to Stony Brook University and was drafted by the Pirates in the 40th round of the 2015 draft. He had a 2.49 ERA in three minor league seasons and had a 1.76 ERA in 56.1 innings in 2017. Zamora had 63 strikeouts and 19 walks with a 1.225 WHIP. He spent most of last year in Single-A, but had three scoreless innings in Double-A after he was promoted late in the season. 

Mets Sign Jose Reyes

Mets Infielder Jose Reyes

The New York Mets announced today they are re-signing infielder Jose Reyes to a one-year deal for $2 million and can make $500,000 more with incentives. Reyes will be used in a utility role and play several positions including second base, shortstop and third base as well as possibly in the outfield. He played in 145 games for the Mets last year and hit ..246 with 15 homers and 58 RBI in 561 plate appearances. Reyes lead the team with 24 stolen bases and 561 plate appearances. He did well in the second half and had an .828 OPS. Hopefully Reyes can build off his strong second half and provide some speed and versatility off the bench. He will help serve as a exciting leadoff hitter and a mentor to SS Amed Rosario.

Mets Sign Adrian Gonzalez

Mets First Baseman Adrian Gonzalez

Today, the New York Mets officially announced that they signed free agent first baseman Adrian Gonzalez after he passed his physical. Gonzalez will be paid the major league minimum of $540,000 by the Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers will pay the rest of his $22.3 million that he is owed for this season. He is a five-time all star and at one point was one of the best hitters in baseball. Gonzalez is a lifetime .288 hitter over the course of his 14-year career. Last season, a degenerative back injury caused him to hit only .242 with three homers. Hopefully Gonzalez is able to get healthy this year and provide some power in the middle of the lineup and return to his former success. He will help serve as a nice veteran presence on the field and will be ready to start if 1B Dominic Smith is in the minor leagues for opening day. 

Mets Sign Jay Bruce

Mets Outfielder Jay Bruce

The New York Mets announced tonight that they have signed outfielder Jay Bruce for a three-year deal worth $39 million. Bruce was acquired by the Mets at the July 2016 trading deadline for second baseman Dilson Herrera and pitching prospect Max Wotell. He got off to a slow start, but finished up strong in September and came back in 2017 and had an excellent season. In 103 games games for the Mets last year, Bruce hit .256 with 21 homers and 75 RBI's before being moved to the Cleveland Indians at the trading deadline to help them in their postseason run. This was a huge signing for the Mets since they needed to add another powerful bat in the outfield and help lengthen their lineup. Bruce will help serve as insurance in case outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Michael Conforto are hurt. He can also play some first base as well. I think that this was a move that the Mets had to make and I think that Bruce will serve as a great guy in the clubhouse and help mentor younger guys. I'm excited to see what he can do this year.

Mets Sign Anthony Swarzak

The New York Mets announced today that they have signed reliever RHP Anthony Swarzak to a two-year $14 mil deal. Last season, Swarzak posted a 2.33 ERA, 2.74 FIP, and 1.034 WHIP in 77.1 innings combined with the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. He began his career with the Minnesota Twins and then pitched for the New York Yankees before joining the White Sox and Brewers. Swarzak throws a fastball that tops out at 95 mph and has a sharp slider at 87 mph. He is joining a bullpen that already features RHP Jeurys Familia, RHP A.J. Ramos and LHP Jerry Blevins. It will be interesting to see how manager Mickey Callaway utilitizes Swarzak and what inning he will pitch since Callaway stated he will not have a set closer and will mix and match his relievers throughout each game.