New York Mets Agree With All Arbitration Eligible Players
The New York Mets have agreed to terms with all nine players eligible for arbitration. In total, the Mets shelled out over 48 million dollars in contracts to players who make up more than one-third of their roster.
The Mets avoided arbitration with all nine of their eligible players:
M. Stroman: $12 mil
N. Syndergaard $9.7 mil
M. Conforto: $8 mil
E. Diaz: $5.1 mil
S. Matz: $5 mil
J. Marisnick: $3.3125 mil
B. Nimmo: $2.175 mil
S. Lugo: $2 mil
R. Gsellman: $1.225 milTotal: $48,512,500.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) January 10, 2020
Starting Pitchers
Marcus Stroman settled with the Mets for 12 million dollars. The free agent to be is expected to make a big impact smack in the middle of the Mets rotation. The Mets traded two top prospects for Stroman this past season. Stroman is expected to pick up the slack after Zack Wheeler left via free agency.
Noah Syndergaard settled for 9.7 million dollars. The Mets brass and fan base are waiting for Thor to have that magical season where he dominates all of baseball. Thor will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2021 season. Syndergaard’s future with the Mets might hinge on how well he pitches this season.
Steven Matz will get 5 million dollars for the 2020 season. Matz is the lone lefty in the rotation for the Mets and is coming off back to back seasons with at least 30 starts. Matz has developed into a solid starting pitcher.
Bullpen
The Mets and Edwin Diaz have agreed to a 5.1 million dollar contract. Diaz had one of the best seasons in baseball history as a closer in 2018 with the Seattle Mariners. The Mets traded one of their best prospects to get Diaz but he struggled mightily in 2019. If the Mets plan on making the playoffs in 2020 Diaz must return to form.
Seth Lugo and the Mets settled for a 2 million dollar contract. Lugo was the one real bright spot in the Mets bullpen in 2019. Lugo has expressed interest in being a starting pitcher but the Mets need his services out of the pen much more than as a starter.
Robert Gsellman‘s 2020 salary will be 1.225 million. Gsellman missed the last month and a half of the 2019 season and truthfully he didn’t pitch that well when he was healthy. Now for the 2020 season, the Mets expect Gsellman to rebound. Gsellman could also be used as a spot starter.
Trio of Outfielders
Michael Conforto and the Mets settled for an 8 million dollar contract. Conforto had his best season as a Met in 2019 and is very much a part of the Mets young offensive core. After a couple of bad injuries, Conforto has now played in at least 150 games in the last two seasons. Conforto will be a free agent after the 2020 season.
Brandon Nimmo‘s salary will be 2.175 million dollars. Nimmo has been involved in trade rumors all offseason. So it is still possible the outfielder gets moved in a blockbuster trade. Should Nimmo remain in New York he will most likely be the Mets everyday centerfielder.
Newly acquired Jake Marisnick‘s 2019 salary will be for 3.3125 million dollars. Marisnick was brought in for outfield depth based on his great defense. How much he plays will all depend on what other moves the Mets make before the season starts. Additionally, injuries can also be a factor in deciding Marisnick’s playing time.
